Deep in the French Alps, an idyllic village conceals sinister secrets. When a young woman is found dead in Levionna, the small community is shaken to its core once more. Her murder bears an eerie resemblance to an incident three decades past, when the idiosyncratic cult known as Les Ecrins shocked the nation with their mass suicide.
Leading the investigation is determined detective Giovanna Deluca. But she’s not the only one searching for answers. Eccentric internet sleuth Ida Heilman has arrived in search of her missing father, who had been exploring the dark history of Les Ecrins. She crosses paths with Jaro Gatsi, a former delinquent trying to start anew, who quickly finds himself framed for the recent crime.
Despite their differences, Ida and Jaro team up in Jaro’s desperation to clear his name. Together they’ll delve deeper into the mountain town’s disturbing past. But some truths may be better left buried. As these three become entangled in a web of secrets, their digging threatens to unearth mysteries much closer to home.
More than a thriller, Anthracite weaves an intricately layered plot, mysterious characters you’ll feel for, and cinematic visuals of its Alpine setting. Over the course of the review, we’ll explore the show’s gripping narrative, memorable protagonists, and whether its risks pay off for viewers. So buckle up for this chilling ride through the mountains’ dark underbelly.
Buried Secrets in the Mountains
Nearly thirty years ago, the small Alpine town of Levionna gained dark notoriety when a cult called Les Ecrins carried out disturbing rituals and ultimately met a terrifying end. Now, long-buried secrets from that time are rising to the surface once more. As a new murder rocks the community, it seems the past is not content to stay buried.
At the center of it all are Jaro and Ida, who’ve come to Levionna seeking change and closure. Jaro looks to escape his criminal history and troubled roots. A gifted outdoorsman, he simply wants an honest job and chance to connect with his daughter. Yet secrets surrounding his mother threaten to derail his fresh start before it begins. Likewise, quirky web sleuth Ida searches for answers about her missing journalist father – but truths about her family’s past may prove harder to accept than she expects.
Meanwhile, Detective Giovanna battles her own inner demons as she leads the investigation. Only recently back on the force after a mental breakdown, cracks are reappearing in her resolution as this case drags her back through darkness she thought left behind. Pressure mounts as old secrets clash with present realities and her colleagues grow wary of her unconventional methods.
Add to this the lingering effects of Les Ecrins’ terror three decades prior. Some scars never truly heal, as survivors and relatives still bear mental wounds. And with a whole community’s darkest truths at stake, forces will stop at nothing to ensure the past remains buried. As Jaro and Ida untangle the knots of lies, even their own resilient spirits may find breaking point.
In Anthracite, no one is a simple as they seem – for in these isolated mountains, everyone hides something. And when decades-old evils are stirring once more, the price of secrets may prove higher than any are willing to pay.
Intriguing Individuals
At the center of it all is Ida Heilman, whom Noémie Schmidt portrays with an endearing blend of quirkiness and grit. A self-proclaimed “web sleuth”, she spends her days unraveling mysteries online from the comfort of her room. But Ida hides vulnerability beneath her eccentric façade – she eagerly searches for clues about her missing journalist father Solal while grappling with terminal illness. Through it all, an indomitable spirit shines through as she fearlessly plunges into investigating this cult’s dark remnants. Like many affected by Lemian’s buried past, Ida seems fated to uncover truths about herself as well.
Enter Jaro Gatsi, embodied fiercely by newcomer Hatik. A man hoping small-town life will prove peaceful refuge from legal troubles, Jaro instead finds himself accused of murder. Yet glimpses of his gentle nature emerge – he’s devoted to caring for his young daughter, even when others scorn him. Questions remain around Jaro’s lineage, linking him to the cult that once dominated Levionna. As secrets peel away, will they reveal deeper connections or new threats for this man simply seeking stability?
Then there’s Giovanna Deluca, played with nuanced grit by Camille Lou. A local detective returns to work after personal struggles, she faces an uphill battle gaining peers’ trust once more. Intriguingly, cracks may reappear in Giovanna’s steely resolve as this case’s darkness mirrors her own demons. Is she determined enough to persevere alone if needed? Like all touched by Lemian’s past, Giovanna must confront hard truths within – about herself and those she’s sworn to protect.
From the resilient yet spirited Ida to the former offender Jaro desperate for change, and a policewoman battling inner turmoil – these individuals’ compelling narratives drive the series’ heart. Each character intriguingly intersects with Lemian’s long-buried past, ensuring their revelations resonate all the more.
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Mysteries and Twists in Anthracite
The small French village of Levionna holds dark secrets from its past. In the opening episodes of Anthracite, two mysterious are introduced that set the stage for the intrigue to come. First, journalist Solal Heilman has gone missing after returning to investigate an unsolved case from 30 years ago.
His unbalanced daughter Ida follows his trail to the village, hoping for clues. She encounters Jaro, a man in Solal’s files who becomes a person of interest. But Jaro has troubles of his own – he’s accused of a recent murder eerily mirrored from that long-ago case.
As Ida and Jaro look for answers, the suspense grows episode by episode. Strange clues emerge about the cult that once called Levionna home, and secrets lurk in the history of those still living there. Detective Giovanna works to untangle the web of connections, finding parallels to both old and new crimes. The plot thickens as revelations shake the foundation of our heroes’ lives, questioning everything they thought they knew.
Anthracite takes many a twist, some more surprising than others. While this keeps viewers constantly reassessing their theories, the turns sometimes strain credibility. Yet most storylines flow together neatly by the finale, with long-buried truths brought to light and the fates of our protagonists resolved. Overall this crime drama takes the viewer on a dark ride through a village hiding more than snowy charm beneath its surface. Fans of mysteries with unforeseen turns will find much to ponder in its shadows of the past.
Mountains of Mystery
The remote Alpine village of Levionna provides the breathtaking backdrop for the dark secrets exposed in Anthracite. Director Julius Berg makes superb use of the snow-capped peaks and dense forests, crafting a palpable sense of isolation.
From the opening shots of choppy raft rides and mist-shrouded chalets, we feel the imposing scale of nature. Berg allows natural vistas to dominate, letting the surroundings speak as much as words. Later, slopes and lifts become ominously quiet after dark falls. Moonlight glistens off fresh powder, enhancing a brooding ambiance.
Cinematographer Pascal Berthinier captures Levionna’s rugged charm, with winding streets and timbered structures. His roving camera peers around corners or lingers in shadowy corners, nudging our curiosity. Clever angles show characters dwarfed amidst towering pines. We grasp their smallness facing this town’s old mysteries.
Flashbacks to the cult’s peak intensify the atmosphere. Grainier film stock transports us to the 90s, as SWAT teams storm the sect’s compound. Contrasting the present via technology helps orient strange events across eras. Subtle visual nods also remind us the past remains vividly alive here.
Through its impeccable staging amidst such stunning natural vistas, Anthracite immerses us in a remote world gripped by darkness from its mountains down. Berg and Berthinier succeed in using their surroundings to drive intrigue, keeping us wondering what shadows may still linger within these silent snowy spans.
Different Directions
Anthracite certainly takes some unexpected turns. Nothing plays out quite like you think it will from the beginning. Some found this indulgent, with shocks placed over substance. Others, though, felt it delivered real intrigue.
Personally, I was entertained throughout. Even when plot points got crazy, the mystery at the core kept me engaged. Trying to piece together the cult’s history and how it connected to current events made for compulsive viewing. I honestly couldn’t predict where it was headed next.
The performances really sold each character’s layers too. Noémie Schmidt owned Ida’s quirks but showed real grit. Hatik navigated Jaro’s mistakes and revelations believably. Camille Lou portrayed police work and personal struggles with nuance. All brought their roles to life in dynamic fashion.
Of course, some perspectives hold merit. Not everything tied together tidily, and the tone could vary wildly. But overall, I appreciated how unafraid it felt to break conventions. When so many thrillers retread familiar steps, Anthracite took bold strides into original territory.
It won’t be for everyone. The material gets pretty dark in places too. But I was engaged from beginning to end by the storytelling risks taken, and think fans eager for something fresh will find much to like. There’s certainly plenty to discuss regarding its different directions long after viewing too.
So in conclusion, while some excess or inconsistency exists, Anthracite undeniably keeps you guessing. A complex central mystery and standout performances make it compelling viewing for those open to a thriller veering off the beaten path.
Down Dark Paths
Anthracite really doesn’t hold back, does it? From the start, you can tell it aims to take you to unexpected places. And does it ever go some places you just don’t see coming.
I’ll be honest – the plot gets so twisty and turns so dark that it may be too much for some. It tries a bunch of different genres but never sticks to just one. And some reveals felt a bit far-fetched.
But you have to give it credit for taking chances. So many thrillers play it safe, but this showed real ambition in its storytelling. It also keeps you guessing the whole way through, which is always fun, even if it means the journey gets bumpy.
I think fans who love an unconventional mystery will stick with it. The characters are complex and the performances hook you in. And those beautiful Alpine vistas provide some light amid the shadows.
Overall, Anthracite may split opinion pretty strongly. But even if every twist doesn’t land, it stuck with me because it aimed high. For thrill-seekers open to taking an unpredictable path, this one leads down some mighty dark paths worth experiencing.
The Review
Anthracite
Anthracite takes bold narrative risks that give it energy and ambition, even if the discordant storytelling leaves things uneven. Driven by a game cast, its vision may frustrate as much as intrigue. While the strange tonal shifts and far-fetched plotting keep Anthracite from fully cohering, there is entertainment to be found in its unconventional mysteries and willingness to blaze new trails, however dark they may lead. The propulsive performances and Alpine backdrops give just enough enjoyment for the unconventional ride.
PROS
- Compelling mystery storyline keeps viewers engaged throughout.
- Stunning Alpine scenery provides beautiful backdrop.
- Strong performances from lead actors, especially Noémie Schmidt as Ida.
- Unpredictable plot takes many unexpected twists and turns.
CONS
- Tonal shifts are jarring as goofy elements are later abandoned.
- Plot becomes convoluted with too many revelations and subplots.
- Characters lack depth and motivation remains ambiguous at times.
