Vortex Review: The French mini-series premiered on June 2, 2023, on Netflix. Created by Franck Thilliez, Camille Couasse and Sarah Farkas, the show is directed by Slimane-Baptiste and Berhoun. The series stars Tomer Sisley and Camille Claris in the lead roles alongside Zineb Triki, Éric Pucheu, Sandrine Salyères, Ludovik, Anaïs Parello and more.
Pierre-Yves Bastard and Fabrice Sébille are the cinematographers, and Iris Bucher executive produces it. With a total of 6 episodes, the duration of each episode is approximately 50-55 minutes. The series is shot in French and is available with English subtitles.
-Vortex Review Consists of No Spoilers-
Set in the year 2025, where technology has advanced to the point that a past event can be realistically recreated and can be experienced simply by putting on a pair of glasses. With the help of the glasses, police officers have the ability to capture a crime scene and look over it numerous times from the comfort of their offices. However, suddenly a glitch occurs, and the lead detective, Ludovic, whose wife passed away 27 years back, starts reappearing again.
The premise of the show is not unique, but it takes a fresh approach to time travel. Even though the series is based on sci-fi, it necessarily does not pay attention to the nitty gritty of it. The audience is left in the dark about how the past and present collided, and the creators did not put that aspect as the focal point of the plot. The story delved deeper into the unresolved human emotions and loss more than the technical elements.
Many times the plot arrives at ethical crossroads where even the viewers would face a similar dilemma. The creators have adequately showcased how instead of black and white certain things fall under the grey area. Due to this, certain events cannot be categorised as right and wrong. Largely it depends upon each other’s perspectives and what holds more importance in one’s life. Ludovic arrives in a similar situation where he fights to save his wife’s life but at the cost of ruining his present.
However, even with a complex plot, the script contains drawbacks that cannot be ignored. After a few episodes, the plot comes to a standstill and refuses to move forward. The same storyline occurs multiple times, and it feels like the plot is going on a loop. The inconsistent pacing is another aspect that makes it a frustrating experience. Nevertheless, it makes considerable progress in the last episode and provides a satisfying end.
The actors gave an impactful performance with whatever they had to work with, but due to the lack of proper character development, it failed to create a connection with the audience. Along with an inadequate backstory, the show was unable to create a well-structured narrative for an immersive experience. A few of the revelations were also predictable and could not create a surprising element.
Furthermore, the use of VFX and CGI is done well, which elevates the storytelling process. The beautiful locations used make the series aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. It is worth noting that the plot drives the audience to think about facets of life and provides a new outlook on things.
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Vortex Review: Final Thoughts
The six-episode series is exciting and thrilling. The plot introduces a new and unexplored point of view that is often overlooked. It is more than just a murder mystery and ignites critical thinking and opens the door for fresh possibilities. Another positive point is the perfect length of the show, and does not waste time on unnecessary details.
Vortex is now streaming on Netflix. Did you watch the series yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Very enjoyable. The same themes are explored in two New Line Cinema films, Frequency and The Butterfly Effect
Fantastic. Husband and i were rivetted.