Netflix recently added “Blood Coast” to‎ its diverse non-English action drama collection. For six episodes, Marseille’s gritty urban landscape is the‎ backdrop for crime, vengeance, and the pursuit of justice. A dedicated police officer, Lyes Benamar,‎ leads a complex story about a new drug batch, the return of presumed-dead gangster Franck‎ Murillo, and a city plagued by drug violence. In the heart of this action-packed saga,‎ “Blood Coast” will explore characters, moral ambiguities, and Marseille’s turbulent underworld.

Plot Summary:

Lyes Benamar‎ and his team fight rising drug-related crimes in Marseille. A new drug batch linked to‎ the mysterious gangster Franck Murillo, thought dead, thickens the plot. After Murillo returns, a revenge‎ story unfolds, creating intrigue and danger. The suspenseful series occurs in gritty Marseille and blurs‎ the line between law enforcement and underworld vendettas.

The opening scenes of “Blood Coast” take‎ viewers into Marseille, a city struggling with drug-related violence. The main character, Lyes Benamar, is‎ a dedicated police officer fighting rising crime. The series begins when a new batch of‎ drugs arrives in Marseille, unrelated to the Saidi family. This discovery sets the stage for‎ a compelling story as the police investigate this new threat.

Franck Murillo, a dead gangster,‎ returns, twisting the story. The plot becomes more complicated when Murillo returns after running Marseille’s‎ drug scene. His vendetta against Ali Saidi and his associate Tarek Hamadi creates tension. 

The‎ story alternates between the police’s pursuit of justice and Murillo’s revenge plot. The stakes rise‎ as the property navigates Marseille’s criminal underbelly’s complex alliances and rivalries. The series’ suspenseful plot‎ and action make it immersive. The coastal city becomes a character, echoing the story and‎ intensifying the drama.

Action Elements:

The well-choreographed fight scenes and intense gunplay make “Blood Coast”‎ visually stunning. The initial action sequences are gripping due to their complexity and urgency. The‎ series emphasizes the characters’ physicality to capture the raw energy of Marseille’s crime-ridden streets.

The‎ early episodes’ hand-to-hand combat is elaborate and fast-paced. These moments create tension, emphasizing the characters’‎ risks in seeking justice. Guns add urgency and unpredictability to the action. The action gradually‎ loses consistency and intensity as the series progresses.

The series needs help maintaining its initial‎ appeal to keep up its high-octane pace. Some fight scenes are good, but they get‎ repetitive. Gunplay dominates, overshadowing nuanced action. In the latter part of the series, once-thrilling sequences‎ become monotonous.

Attempt At Depth And Drama:

“Blood Coast” explores the complexities of its characters,‎ especially Lyes Benamar, to add depth. The law enforcement hero struggles with personal issues and‎ the consequences of questionable relationships. The show explores Benamar’s vulnerabilities and sacrifices in service to‎ humanize him.

Adding social drama to the story fails to leave an impact. Helpless teens‎ and the characters’ attempts to intervene lack emotional depth. The story’s abrupt switch from drug-focused‎ to social issues feels disconnected, causing uneven pacing.

Audrey and Arno, supporting characters, are developed.‎ The writing attempts to give these characters depth, but it often needs to catch up,‎ preventing them from reaching their full potential. Although she has a personal mission, Alice Vidal’s‎ character is inconsistent and doesn’t contribute to the plot.

Character Development:

The protagonist, Lyes Benamar,‎ defies the action hero stereotype. His ties to crime families create moral ambiguity, forcing him‎ to face his actions. Despite internal and external challenges, Benamar always puts others first, making‎ him a complex and conflicted protagonist.

Supporting characters like officers Audrey and Arno are given‎ depth to make them seem real. These efforts add depth to the ensemble cast but‎ struggle to break stereotypes. The subplot of Officer Tatoo’s emotional attachment to Bakari, a young‎ boy, shows law enforcement’s humanity in the chaos.

Strangely, despite her depth, Alice Vidal has‎ yet to develop fully. Her role fluctuates, and her connection to the plot seems arbitrary.‎ Even with complexity, character dynamics must be changed to create a cohesive and engaging story.‎

Cinematic Elements:

The series’ performances, especially Nicolas Duvauchelle’s Franck Murillo, are excellent. Duvauchelle creates a‎ vengeful gangster with menace. Tewfik Jallab plays Lyes Benamar, a dedicated police officer caught in‎ Marseille’s criminal underworld. Jeanne Goursaud, as Alice Vidal, adds to the story, but she needs‎ more development.

The gritty Marseille urban landscapes are captured authentically by Netflix-standard cinematography and camera‎ work. Modern French hip-hop and rap tracks, a crime thriller staple, give the series a‎ contemporary feel. These elements are competent but keep genre conventions intact.

Conclusion

In Netflix’s expanding‎ international content, “Blood Coast” makes an impression but struggles to stick. The action may captivate,‎ but the series fails to immerse. Despite missed opportunities, “Blood Coast” is a decent action‎ film about Marseille’s crime saga. Inconsistent character development and sluggish action sequences derail the gripping‎ story. For action fans, “Blood Coast” may be enough, but it may fall short for‎ those who want more depth.