Image Credit: Netflix
An immersive family show that was shot almost entirely on location in the West Indies: new project the bureau Showrunner Eric Rochant (along with co-creator, co-showrunner and daughter Capucine Rochant) has high ambitions. But does it actually deliver the goods? Some answers, along with our – as always – spoiler-free review!
right after the end of the bureaugenerated international success Provided by Canal+ Eric Rochant many options for Where to go next. Movies, of course, as an experienced director, but also several premium series; However, one of his role models is Michael Value. Mann is known for his documentary-style approach and extensive research into the subjects he addresses on screen, in order to create as authentic a universe as possible for his plots and characters. Rochant follows much of this approach captiveWhich is coming to Netflix this week, but went the extra mile; In order not to set and shoot a story in Martinique from his own point of view, he worked with hundreds of local actors and a very local shooting crew on the set; But he also invited West Indies-set writers, such as Jimmy Laporal-Tracer And khris burton To write and produce eight episodes. Therefore, we included captive As one of our most anticipated European shows of 2026.
starting point of captive Marilyn LaFleur dies unexpectedly (Sandrine Velayaudon), a force of nature and matriarch of 11 children aged between 7 and 23, who managed to keep an eye on all of them and give them as good a start in life as they could. But he had one rule: no matter the circumstances, never resort to the drug trade to make ends meet. He didn’t know that that rule had already been broken by one of his sons, Killian (Jody Grimo), who at the young age of 16 presents himself as a drug kingpin whose goal is to import drugs into metropolitan France. He is already active as a shadow person under the alias Milord, and no one in his family knows about his double life. On the other hand, his brother, the charming and outspoken Kingsley (rodney dijon) is more fond of get-rich-quick schemes, which involve trying to raid the stash of money belonging to local drug dealer Sherkhan.wicked pAlso a local trap artist). As soon as Marilyn is buried, fortunes and plans are at stake, and some of the younger children are about to fall into the custody of the widely reviled Aunt Regine. captive The story of a family whose siblings are willing to do anything to stay together and keep the honor of the LaFleur family name, even if it threatens to tear their entire lives apart.
The show’s notable accomplishment is giving each of the LaFleur siblings a personality and enough time to get to know and identify: Annabelle (Ambre Boza) is the most intelligent and emotional of the group, Cassandra (Kahela Borewell) is an aspiring rap artist and one of the most passionate artists of the group; Marvin (Cedric Camille), as the elder brother, is the most influential and authoritative among the gardening crew. But some of them, or most of them, are also first-time or inexperienced comedians, and therein lies the problems. captive launch.
Number of new faces trusted to lead major shows like Netflix captive is commendable; However, no matter how well written the show is, and how the directors (including Rochant) take full advantage of the scope provided by the Netflix production, the inexperience ultimately shows. The wooden delivery makes the first episode difficult, for example, in the birthday party scene, also designed to introduce us to more main characters. Ultimately, as the show begins to duel between Kiyan and Kingsley, both comedians can better showcase the complexity of their characters. But what at first glance appears to be a family drama looms large, a drug-trade thriller that ignores familial relationships and returns only to tense confrontations. speed of captiveWith an extended runtime of 60 minutes per episode, the pace never picks up during the action sequences, which are few and far between. As much as the show makes the best of its vibrant colors, street chases, and a very local soundtrack filled with recent West Indian trap music, its lazy editing ultimately works against it.
Jody Grimeau as Killian LaFleur. (CR: Netflix)
There’s a good show inside captiveHowever, the tension of many business meetings and the satirical portrayal of some drug czars make it feel more drug trade 101. The characters fall deeper and deeper into a cycle of power and violence, which never stops provoking explosions or claiming multiple victims; The show is not without controversy, it also depicts the impact of gun violence on underage children, but this particular storyline never takes off and remains in the background. appearances from jonathan zaccai (Sisteren Inn the bureau) as a shady, ruthless businessman whose daughter is also involved with Kiyan, feels overcrowded rather than giving the show some anchor.
all together, captive Offers a sophisticated product that portrays daily life and areas that are barely seen on French television. If the humanity and showy characters help it avoid prying eyes, the drug trade aspect overshadows the internal conflict and brotherhood of the Lafleur clan; Since a second season is not guaranteed, it remains to be seen whether Netflix subscribers will want to see this part of Martinique again.
Watch captive if you want
- top boy
- blood bank
- Under cover
Decision
Even though some of the family themes and performances are ultimately endearing, some mediocre performances and a clichéd drug-dealing plot, as well as a slow pace, add up for this first season to really deliver the goods. As a project, it attests to Netflix’s track record in taking risks and making significant bets, which was entangled in a barrage of adaptations.
