“Don’t say anything”, “1992”, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”,… what are the series of the week worth?

The Northern Irish conflict through the journey of two ex-members of the IRA, a serial killer in the streets of Seville, the bland adaptation of a masterpiece of Hispanic literature… Find all the series of the week, to laugh or shiver, to see on the platforms. Or not.

“Don’t say anything”, miniseries (Disney +)

Taken from a journalistic investigation, this miniseries opens like a fast-paced thriller, following in the footsteps of Dolours and Marian Price, two sisters from Belfast who take up arms in the early 1970s. Between urban guerrilla warfare, robberies and attacks, we follow over three decades these very real figures of the IRA.

“1992,” season 1 (Netflix)

Thirty years after the Seville Universal Exhibition, a serial killer attacks notable people with a blowtorch. Spanish filmmaker Alex de La Iglesia has created a horror thriller in the form of an anti-capitalist firefight.

“One Hundred Years of Solitude”, miniseries (Netflix)

In the section of unadaptable novels, A hundred years of solitude, the masterpiece of Gabriel García Márquez, is placed at the very top… Fitting these four hundred and sixty bloated pages within the strict framework of a miniseries seemed, if not sacrilegious, at least technically hazardous. If the baroque imagination of the master of magical realism comes to life, the copy remains far too wise, according to the first four episodes that we were able to see.

“War and Peace”, miniseries (Arte.tv)

If Tolstoy’s work is enough to intimidate even the most seasoned reader, this flamboyant new adaptation aims to delight as many people as possible and the result is astonishingly beautiful. However, the series is not just a flashy empty shell. She does not forget to dig into the intimate dramas of the characters, all played by inspired actors, the subtle Paul Dano in the lead.

“Rêves Productions”, miniseries (Disney +)

This animated miniseries, which is part of the universe of the franchise Vice-Versatakes us into the dream factory of 12-year-old Riley. Located chronologically between the two feature films, these four episodes follow the teams who write and shoot the young girl’s dreams and nightmares. Not as great as the movies, but fun. From 8 years old.

“The English Papers”, miniseries (Arte.tv)

This intimate odyssey in three somewhat sluggish parts follows in the footsteps of Angolan author Ruy Duarte de Carvalho, in search of a mysterious literary treasure.

“Joan”, miniseries (MyCanal)

A young mother without resources embarks on a career as a jewel thief. Screenwriter Anna Symon takes advantage of this extraordinary trajectory to paint a complex portrait of a woman. A high-quality miniseries, served by the interpretation of Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) amazing.

“The Shadow of a Son”, season 1 (France.tv)

Against all expectations, Jo Spain and David Logan are not adapting yet another novel by Harlan Coben… but that of a duo of Irish writers. With an investigation as sluggish as it was improbable, it was nevertheless misleading.

“Behind the Facade”, season 1 (Netflix)

Grieving by the death of their son in mysterious circumstances, worn out by marital routine and close to bankruptcy, Paul and Lydia find themselves forced to sell their family home. A little The White Lotusvery Desperate Housewivesthis black comedy has two trump cards up its sleeve: its casting (Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow) and the famous house. For the rest, not much.

“Secret Level”, saison 1 (Prime Video)

The team behind the excellent Netflix anthology Love, Death & Robots is inspired by the mythology of around fifteen cult video games to produce as many short episodes. Loaded with often ultra-violent action but narratively limited, the result is closer to richly produced “fan service” than to a true artistic proposition. Most episodes lack ideas and fail to create a powerful vision – with the notable exception of a nightmarish episode from Warhammer 40,000 – when they don’t look like downright promotional clips. Only experienced gamers will perhaps find something to suit them. — Pierre Langlais

p Created by Tim Miller (15x15mn)

“The Rehearsal”, saison 1 (Max)

In this anthology, a man wants, for example, to confess to his friend this lie which torpedoes his conscience: he does not have bac +5, but bac +3. Nathan Fielder is there to help him. He makes her repeat her confession in a setting identical to the bar where the meeting will take place, until it is rehearsed. In another episode, it’s more dramatic: he trains a woman to raise a child and, to do so, kidnaps real children… Absurd, funny, embarrassing, sometimes brilliant: you have to discover the astonishing Fielder, whose series and others (Nathan for You, The Curse) are finally visible in France. —Michel Bezbakh

q Created by Nathan Fielder, 2022 (6×30 mins).