Netflix’s La Révolution wants to be the horror show that explains the French Revolution. It mostly succeeds at being a grim, occasionally compelling period drama about a plague that turns the aristocracy into monsters. It fails at being a satisfying origin story for the guillotine. The result is a show that’s more atmospheric than essential, and it’s best remembered for its premise rather than its execution.
Set in 1787, the series follows Joseph Guillotin, a physician who investigates a string of mysterious murders. His investigation leads him to a virus he calls “blue blood,” a disease that spreads through the French aristocracy and turns its victims into violent, predatory creatures. The infected nobles attack commoners, and the resulting chaos destabilizes the monarchy and sets the stage for the revolution. It’s a neat idea, and it’s the kind of historical fiction that makes you think: what if a biological agent really did trigger the fall of the ancien régime?
Trailer, via Netflix.
Guillotin and the Plague
Amir el Kacem plays Joseph Guillotin as a man of conscience and intellect, a doctor who believes in reason and science at a time when superstition rules. His performance grounds the show’s speculative elements in something human. The character is based on the historical Joseph Ignace Guillotin, the French doctor who invented the guillotine, though the show takes some liberties with his biography. Guillotin is obsessed with finding a humane method of execution, and the show hints that his later invention might have been born out of this early confrontation with mass violence.
The blue blood virus is the show’s central horror element. It spreads through the aristocracy, driving its victims to murder ordinary people. The infected nobles lose their minds and their humanity, becoming walking monsters who tear apart the fabric of society. The show doesn’t spend much time explaining how the virus works, but it doesn’t need to. The dread comes from watching the aristocracy collapse from within, and the show is effective at showing how quickly a closed system can unravel when its leaders are no longer rational.
The Cast of Nobles
The supporting cast is a mix of familiar faces and newcomers. Marilou Aussilloux plays Elise de Montargis, the wife of a nobleman who becomes entangled in the conspiracy. Lionel Erdogan plays Albert Guillotin, Joseph’s brother and a man of questionable loyalty. Julien Frison plays Donatien de Montargis, a nobleman whose family is caught in the middle of the crisis. Coline Beal plays Ophélie, a commoner who survives the epidemic and witnesses the horror firsthand.
The show also features a young Oka, played by Doudou Masta. His role is not fully detailed in the available materials, but he appears as a character in the story. The chemistry between Guillotin and Oka is the show’s emotional core, even if the series doesn’t fully develop either character beyond their functional roles.
The Supernatural Elements
The supernatural elements are where La Révolution stumbles. The blue blood virus is described as a virus, but it behaves more like a curse or a possession. The infected nobles aren’t sick so much as they’re possessed by a malevolent force. This inconsistency is never resolved, and the show simply accepts that the nobles become monsters without offering a scientific explanation. It’s a missed opportunity, since the premise invites a more rigorous exploration of contagion and infection.
The show also introduces a group of rebels who oppose the monarchy and seek to overthrow it. These rebels are motivated by the suffering caused by the virus, and they see the nobility as corrupt and useless. Their actions are violent and chaotic, and they represent the revolutionary movement that eventually overthrows the monarchy. The show frames the revolution as a natural response to the aristocracy’s failure, driven by the spread of the plague.
The Production Values
The show’s production values are high. The costumes are elaborate, the sets are lavish, and the cinematography is moody and atmospheric. The show captures the opulence of the ancien régime while also showing the squalor of the streets outside the palace walls. The contrast between the two worlds is stark, and it underscores the class divisions that drive the story.
The pacing is uneven. The first few episodes establish the premise and build tension, but the middle episodes drag as the show spends time exploring the political machinations of the nobility. The final episodes rush through the revolution itself, compressing months of historical events into a handful of episodes. The show’s structure is episodic, with each episode focusing on a specific character or subplot, but the overall narrative suffers from a lack of cohesion.
The Cancellation
La Révolution was canceled after one season. The show premiered on Netflix in October 2020 and ran for eight episodes. The cancellation came in January 2021. The abrupt ending is a disappointment, as it leaves the audience hanging without closure.
The cancellation is a shame, because the premise had potential. A second season could have explored the aftermath of the revolution and shown how the new regime dealt with the legacy of the blue blood virus. The show could have examined the psychological impact of the plague on the survivors, or it could have delved deeper into the scientific community’s response to the epidemic. As it stands, the show feels unfinished, and its cancellation robs it of its full potential.
The Guillotine’s Legacy
The show’s title is a nod to its historical setting, but it also references the instrument of death that would define the revolution. The guillotine was introduced as a humane method of execution, and it became a symbol of the revolutionary era. The show ends without explaining how the plague led to the guillotine, leaving the connection as a tantalizing mystery.
The show’s treatment of the guillotine is ambivalent. On the one hand, the show portrays it as a necessary tool for justice. On the other hand, it shows the guillotine as a symbol of the revolution’s brutality. The show doesn’t take a clear stance on the instrument, and it leaves the viewer to draw their own conclusions. The guillotine is a powerful image, and the show uses it effectively, but it doesn’t fully explore the moral implications of its use.
The Premise That Remains
La Révolution is a flawed but fascinating show. Its premise is original and compelling, and it offers a fresh perspective on a familiar historical event. The show is visually striking and well-acted, and it raises interesting questions about the nature of power and disease. However, the show’s uneven pacing and unresolved plot threads prevent it from reaching its full potential. The cancellation is a shame, as it left the show without a proper conclusion.
The show is not a masterpiece, but it’s not a failure either. It’s a show that deserves attention for its ambition, even if it falls short of its goals.
Key Facts
– Premiere: October 2020
– Season: One season, 8 episodes
– Network: Netflix
– Creator: Aurélien Molas
La Révolution is worth watching for its premise and its visual style. It’s a show that rewards curiosity and imagination, even if it doesn’t always deliver on its promises. The show is a reminder that history is full of strange and terrifying stories, and that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
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