Netflix’s *Summer ’36* begins with families visiting the beach for their long-awaited vacation, but the plot soon turns into a murder mystery when prosecutor Adrien Jacquart is found dead in his hotel room. All the key characters in this mystery turn out to be suspects or are hiding information about themselves. What makes it interesting is that the murder investigation doesn't focus solely on the crime itself; instead, every clue reveals a family secret.
Without a doubt, the best part of *Summer ’36* is its quartet of female protagonists. Although each woman starts the drama with a very different role and situation, the series manages to find highly credible reasons to bring them all together. What I liked most about them is that they aren't perfect heroines. In fact, Eugenie spends the series trying to make amends for past mistakes and is left completely shaken when Jacquart reveals a secret involving Louis—a revelation that rocks the foundations of her marriage to Jean. The scene where Jean has to confront the feeling of betrayal—even though he never stops loving them—is deeply moving.
Creators: Marie Deshaires, Catherine Touzet
Stars: Julie De Bona, Sofia Essaïdi, Nolwenn Leroy
Léonie turned out to be my favorite character. Although she initially appears to be just a police officer trying to prove her father's innocence before he passes away, Léonie proves to be far more capable than anyone expected. Unlike typical detectives who solve crimes based on absurd assumptions, Léonie proves to be an exceptional investigator because she never accepts information at face value.
Giulia’s story arc is also full of unexpected emotional nuance. While her gambling debts make her seem unreliable, we come to understand that her desperation stems primarily from her struggle to protect her daughter from harm. One of the most striking aspects of Raoul is that he uses the girl's fear to control her, rather than forcing her to do something she doesn't want to do. The bond that develops between her and Léonie is one of the series' most emotional moments, as both women regain trust in one another after years of isolation. Blanche is arguably the character who undergoes the most significant evolution throughout the series. Initially, she is portrayed as a selfish individual who embarks on an intimate relationship with Jacquart, disregarding the consequences for her family. However, as the truth about Jacquart comes to light, her perspective shifts entirely. I appreciated that the series did not abruptly alter her personality to make her more likable or agreeable.
Nevertheless, the French Netflix series *Summer ’36* begins to lose momentum as too many storylines pile up simultaneously. In addition to the investigation into Jacquart’s murder, the series tackles Jean’s arrest, the trial of Léonie’s father, Nazi finances, the family’s secret history, labor rights, Giulia’s debts, the relationship between Gabriel and Angèle, and the issue of Henri’s succession—among other subsequent murders. While each of these storylines would be compelling on its own, combining them often results in them competing with, rather than complementing, one another.
Raoul makes for a compelling villain, influencing most of the plotlines, yet his manipulations become increasingly predictable. Most conflicts inevitably revolve around him, making certain plot twists easy to foresee. Similarly, the police investigation repeatedly points to a different suspect who is ultimately ruled out; this pattern eventually becomes monotonous.
This affects the pacing of the French series *Summer ’36*. The first two episodes build the mystery magnificently, though the middle section can drag a bit due to the sheer volume of explanations and interrogations. Fortunately, the characters are engaging enough to keep the viewer from getting bored. The mystery plot may not always be brilliant, but I remained invested in whether Eugénie would save her marriage, whether Léonie would save her father, and whether Giulia would overcome the fear she felt regarding her daughter.
As for the performances, the cast demonstrates great talent. Julie de Bona portrays Eugénie’s inner struggles with great subtlety and restraint, while Constance Gay conveys both the strength and fragility of her character, making Léonie instantly likable. Nolwenn Leroy delivers a highly convincing performance of Blanche’s evolution, and Sofia Essaïdi successfully conveys both the warmth and the desperation of her character, Giulia. The interplay among them effectively conveys the series' central message: that women from vastly different backgrounds can unite and empower one another.
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