Netflix’s Ganglands Review: Drugs, Rivalries and Deaths

Ganglands aka Braqueurs a French crime thriller, is now out on Netflix. Created by Hamid Hlioua and Julien Lecleqcq, the latter directed the 6-episode series. The French thriller stars Sami Bouajila, Tracy Gotoas, Samuel Jouy, Nabiha Akkari, Sofia Lesaffre, Salim Kechiouche, Noureddine Farihi, Geert Van Ramperberg, Bakary Diombera.

The synopsis for Braqueurs Netflix reads – To protect his family from a powerful drug lord, skilled thief Mehdi and his expert team of robbers are pulled into a violent and deadly turf war.

Netflix’s Ganglands Review Does Not Contain Spoilers (Trigger Warning: Brutal scenes, blood, abuses)

Two lovers, Shainez (Sofia Lesaffre) and Liana (Tracy Gotoas) steal drugs from a drug trafficker to make some money. They had no idea that their actions would cause a big uproar among the gang lords in the competitive drug market. The stuff they stole belonged to Saber (Salim Kechiouche), who kidnaps Mehdi’s niece Shainez. Mehdi (Sami Bouajila) is a ruthless thief who will go to any length to protect his family. Liana and Mehdi join forces to save their loved ones from the bad guys’ clutches.

The premise is intriguing, and you’ll be gripped by Liana and Mehdi’s determination to save Shainez at whatever cost. Liana stole drugs for a quick buck and never anticipated she’d be fighting gangsters.

The show also gives us a glimpse of Saber’s life, as his father and cousin Sofia (Nabiha Akkari) do not believe he is capable of running the business. This parallel plot isn’t compelling enough because of how weakly the character is written. I was more interested in seeing how Liana and Mehdi work together and whether or not they succeed in their rescue operation. Actors Sami Bouajila and Tracy Gotoas have played their part quite brilliantly.

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Ganglands’ creators have provided us with plenty of action and gunfire scenes since the very first episode.  This continues until the series’ climax. But anything overdone is a mood killer. The tale felt devoid of emotions in an attempt to ‘stand out’ with its high-octane action and violent sequences. The mafias in the Netflix show didn’t seem to pose much of a threat, which is unusual for drug lords. It would have been a tight-knit crime thriller film if the director had maintained only the Mehdi-Liana plot with some terrific action scenes.

With some good and some stretched moments, the series ends on an inquisitive note. The transition of Liana’s character after going through all kinds of hell is amazing.

Netflix’s Ganglands Review: Final Thoughts

Overall, the French gangster series offers everything you’d expect from a show in this genre: drugs, rivalries, betrayals, fights, guns and violence, and killings. I felt the story lacked emotions, considering the motive of the main characters.  It ends on a cliffhanger, hinting that there’s more to come. I’m hoping it doesn’t get dragged out with fights and guns for another six episodes.

Ganglands is now streaming on Netflix.

Do let us know your views on the show in the comments section below.

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