singedsun: the gravedigger from repo! the genetic opera holding up a blue vial (gravedigger)
singedsun ([personal profile] singedsun) wrote2019-09-25 03:14 pm
Entry tags:

Marianne

CW: horror

Last night I finished watching the French horror series on Netflix, Marianne. If you're a horror fan, this needs to be on your list to watch as soon as possible. Marianne is an eight episode Netflix series about a horror author who returns home and has to confront the witch from the series she's just finished writing. If you're not French speaker, you'll have to watch this with subtitles (which I did), there is no English dubbing.

The evil of the witch Marianne is unique. While there's a lot of inspirational references in the show, the horror of the show feels like a singular experience in itself, even when you can spot its spiritual successors. I also really liked the framework of the story with it's main character (who I dubbed French Kristen Stewart during the first episode). The books the main character writes are supposed to be YA horror, based on dreams she had as a teenager. She has to confront those dreams when she returns home after finishing the final book in the series.

Our French Kristen Stewart, Emma, is not portrayed as a good person. This isn't some kind of "final girl" scenario. The framework of the horror itself isn't just about dreams, it's about shadows and mirrors and the things waiting right behind your back. This isn't just the ghost of some witch either. This isn't a ghost story. And she's not just some witch. There is some religious imagery at play here, though it comes very late and it's definitely not as strong as you'd expect.

I also really love the horror writer take on the story. I know it's been done before, but it's nice to see a female horror author portrayed. And from the few bits we do get of the novels she wrote, while they're described as YA books, it's clear she never shied away from actual horror in the books either. Neither does the show, it's spooky, gory and bloody.

Can't recommend enough for you horror fans.

shadaras: A phoenix with wings fully outspread, holidng a rose and an arrow in its talons. (Default)

[personal profile] shadaras 2019-09-26 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, this sounds cool! I'll need to watch the trailer at some point when it isn't nearly bedtime for me. :)
snickfic: Text: It's always time for horror (mood horror)

[personal profile] snickfic 2019-09-26 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
Ooooh, this sounds great! I saw bits of the trailer the last couple of times I logged into Netflix but hadn't heard anything yet about whether it was good. I'm putting it on my list!
enemytosleep: [Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist] colored image of a teen boy adjusting his tie, looking serious (Default)

[personal profile] enemytosleep 2019-09-26 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
Adding to my watch list. Also, I hope you are still recovering well! I saw your concert post and was sad that you felt a little unwell while you were there, but concerts can be very draining places with the volume and crowds so it's not wholly surprising either.
dreamerinsilico: a small, stylized white cat (Pangur Ban from The Secret of Kells) (Default)

[personal profile] dreamerinsilico 2019-09-26 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I mostly avoid horror because I am Very Easily Freaked Out by it, but this sounds really interesting; I may have to give it a go.
dreamerinsilico: a small, stylized white cat (Pangur Ban from The Secret of Kells) (Default)

[personal profile] dreamerinsilico 2019-09-26 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Update: NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

I wish I wasn't such a wuss because it seems pretty cool, but I couldn't finish the first episode. xD
dreamerinsilico: a small, stylized white cat (Pangur Ban from The Secret of Kells) (Default)

[personal profile] dreamerinsilico 2019-09-27 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Haha, fortunately unlike my younger self, I know when to tap out on this sort of thing nowadays!

Also, your description of the protagonist as "French Kristen Stewart" was incredibly apt.
riotheclown: clowning (Default)

[personal profile] riotheclown 2019-09-27 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
I have been thinking about working on my French. This might be good as I will have my eyes covered and not be able to read all the sub-titles!
enemytosleep: [Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist] colored image of a teen boy adjusting his tie, looking serious (Default)

[personal profile] enemytosleep 2020-01-15 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Just finished this and was sad Netflix only gave us a dub option both because je parle français, but also, the dub was awfully done. The VA’s clearly recorded in a vacuum and the tones were so wrong for most of the reads. That said, the actual show was refreshingly creepy and intelligent. Very glad we checked into it!