The Returned (2015) User Reviews (45)

Great show but no season 2?

[culicmladen · 8/10 · 9 February 2016]

I didn't know that this was a remake of the french original. so it didn't bother me, it was the original show to me, and it was really interesting. I'm just sorry that it ends suddenly after 10 episodes and they've canceled the season 2 so we'll never know what happened.

such a pity

I can't believe they'll just leave it like this. if they followed the same plot as the french one maybe I would have tried to switch to the original in french, but as they differ I can't and I don't want to watch the french version with different characters etc now that I have watched 10 episodes of this show...

Starts off so well, but loses momentum towards the middle.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 23 February 2018]

I loved the first few episodes, the opener in particular, it was fantastic, absorbing, interesting, and it had you asking a load of questions, such as, 'were the returned back to punish?' 'What would you do if you came face to face with somebody you'd grieved for? and 'Why was that kid so creepy?

I must admit my interest did fall off a little towards the end, some things were dragged out a little too much, some of the characters became a little uninteresting.

It shouldn't have been cancelled, up until about part six you're treated to some compelling viewing, there was definitely more material in this show, Jeremy Sisto's character Peter was very interesting.

I'm sure fans feel short changed by its early finish, but honestly, half way through it ran out of steam after a hugely promising start. 6/10

TV Snobs Stay Away

[unclecrip · 7/10 · 24 March 2015]

It cracks me up to see all the TV snobs knocking this show because it isn't as good as the original French show. Well that is a matter of opinion and I found The Returned to be quite entertaining contrary to most of the reviews on here. Is it atmospheric and creepy like the French version? Not really but in the United States people watch TV differently and foreign shows sometimes have to be changed up a bit to gel with American audiences and in this case I feel they did a solid job. I watched the French version and found it boring at times but I still enjoyed it. I've noticed that in some of the other reviews the writers are reaching for reasons to not like it. One reviewer went as far as to complain that the two actresses playing the twin sisters didn't look enough alike where as I felt the casting was done well. They are supposed to be four years apart in age and during that stage of a girls life many changes in physical appearance occur. If you're here to read reviews on this show please go past the negative ones written by people who never gave the show a shot because it is a re- pop and give The Returned a chance.

Bring this back!

[megascene · 10/10 · 28 January 2017]

I binged on this show. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and in the end I was screaming, ready to watch season 2. I saw that it wasn't there so I decided to check up on it on google. My heart broke a little when I saw it was canceled as this is definitely a new favorite show. :( You can't end it on a cliffhanger!! That's just mean :( We need to bring this back! I need to see how this end and how it affects everyone's lives! Please!! Bring. It. Back! Why would you even cancel it in the first place?? It got two nominations and from what I can see most people loved it! It's such an exciting show and the characters are very interesting! I feel like I've gotten to know them so well!

I enjoyed it.

[mandiemmail-facebook · 7/10 · 11 March 2016]

I didn't know this was a remake of another show. I enjoyed watching this and it was something different to watch. Plus, it also makes you think about who would you want to come back if it was possible. Naturally, even if the technology was there to bring someone back who had been dead for years there is no way it would be done no matter how much people would want it so. Why? Because this world is getting over populated as it is and if people came back then we would be in a lot of trouble. After all there are more dead people than living on this planet.

Hence I love SC-FI series it gives me some escapism from the real world. Some series even make me think 'What if...'

I've been waiting and waiting for the second series but gathering from reading some of your reviews there is not to be one. Disappointed! I hate it when you get into a TV Series and then somebody sat behind a desk out of touch with 'real' people just decide to stop filming a series. I know, before somebody berates me, that if the series is not doing so well then they pull the plug. It's all about the money and not what the viewer wants. They did the same to Stargate Universe. But that's another review I have to write.

I wish I was someone who knows what's good

[gooelf50 · 10/10 · 16 May 2016]

I feel so inferior for not realizing that this show was as horrible as some other, wiser and more informed viewers, found it to be. Fool that I am, I loved it, and thought it one of the most imaginative and entertaining offerings I've ever seen. I watched all ten episodes over a three or four day period, forgetting all about my usual T.V. fare in the meantime. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of what it is that should be entertaining for me and in my ignorance, I didn't have the acumen necessary to realize that I was watching a very inferior product and was finding it as entertaining as the European offering upon which "The Returning" is based. Perhaps someday, I'll become as informed and aware of what entertains me as many of the wiser expert critics who have already condemned this series, and when I do, I'll stay away from offerings such as this. In the meantime, it looks like I'll continue floating blissfully along, unaware of how unentertained I am while hallucinating that I am actually being entertained.

The Cliff Hanger

[sstinkham · 25 August 2016]

Please, bring The Returned back. My daughter's and I binged watched for two day's, even told friends about the show and now they are watching and upset there will not be a second season, after cancellation. The story line is compelling and the setting is beautiful. We love to find out why Camille kills the teen boy through sex, why did Peter grow old and the little boy Henry stayed young. Will Adam now kill Lena when he finds her in the woods and blame her for his bother's death. Will Rowan ever find out of Tommy's deception of how Simon really died. Did Simon's premonition come to pass given that Helens lit match go's out.

Such a climatic finale and now no second season.

Sarah

"Americanization" of a French series

[billcallinderscott-2607 · 7/10 · 16 March 2015]

Although the need for an American version may be unnecessary to many people it's obvious that the average American, whoever they are, does not like sub-titles. Or anything that's foreign come to think of it. Sofie Gråbøl echo'd this point when she said that she couldn't see the need for the US version of The KiIlling, Forbrydelsen in the original Danish TV series, and could only assume that Americans didn't like sub-titles. This is another example of a great foreign TV series being transform into an American one. I have watched a couple of episodes and it isn't too bad. Well it's better than most of the rubbish that's made so I've got to give Netflix some kudos for at least bringing it to an American audience. Of course it should have been the French original that was sufficient but it would mean that more people in the US would have to start reading sub- titles and, come to think of it, it would also be a good idea to stop complaining about English accents when they originate outside the USA. In the USA it's a ratings game, more so than in the UK or other countries it seems, so for the American reviewers who have been negative it's your own country folk that are to blame for the "need" to create these cloned series. The Returned has only just started so at least give the show a chance.

I'm Hooked

[marilynerobinson-95437 · 10/10 · 19 March 2015]

I don't know what some of the people here want, but that show is fabulous, and so are the actors... I was stunned reading some of the reviews, and to think I almost did not watch it based upon those reviews.. I say people, watch it and decide for yourselves, everyone has their own taste and opinion.. I am so looking forward to the next episode. I especially like how there are a few characters in different areas and it is not focusing on the one, plus the story lines are great.. I never realized how hard it is to write a review without putting in a spoiler or two, so I am not chancing it.. As I said, watch it for yourself and decide from there, if you are into these kind of shows and movies, I'm sure you will like it..

I kinda do hope they are returning

[SpikyRaindrop · 7/10 · 27 May 2015]

Although this series are not in my top list, I did like the series. It was exciting, I was constantly looking in awe at most revelations and I soon grow fond of most of the characters.

The only thing too bad about this series is, is that they don't investigate much and you are more looking into people their lives. Sure, I did know on forehand that it was no detective series or something like that, but I did miss the small part of investigating. There was little to no tension or action in this series (and sometimes the characters where out of place), except when evelyne showed up. I really liked her and how she thought about things. She was the wicked one of the series and I liked her background story and I even felt a bit sorry for her.

Also the cliffhanger sucked big time and I still miss the feeling that I am anxiously waiting for season 2.

And in every episode there where at least 2 sex scenes. i've also watched game of thrones, but in this series it felt a bit out of place.

I am also very afraid this series will go downhill in the next season. But we'll see, maybe it surprises me.

I liked it better when it was called Les Revenants.

[mnealgibby · 5/10 · 10 March 2015]

Why do we as Americans feel it necessary to remake every good show or movie. The vast majority of movies made today are remakes, reboots or sequels. Many of today's popular American shows have been appropriated from foreign titles. Homeland, Real Humans, Mad Dogs, and now The Returned just to name a few recently remade titles. I fear we will soon see an American take on Orphan Black and Black Mirror. Do the studios really feel that their target demo is too dumb to enjoy foreign TV? Would it not suffice to simply purchase these shows in syndication and broadcast them stateside? It's not like we are bringing anything new to these shows. Some of them are literal remakes of the original scripts. Where have all the original story ideas gone? If this were truly a golden age of television, one would expect to see our studios teeming with top notch original content. Game of Thrones and Walking Dead are unquestionably high quality American productions, but they're adapted stories. Many of the foreign TV shows brought to America prove to be successful. I'm sure it's easier to break a show when half the work has been done for you. I like a lot of our American adaptations, but by and large I prefer the originals. The American adaptation often kills the original production. If we would bring them over here instead of remaking them, they would probably last longer. By remaking rather than importing these shows, we are stunting the growth of foreign television and dumbing down the average American TV viewer. I'm going to get off my soap box now and try to put my money where my mouth is. Thank you for reading this. /rant.

Great show

[suzypaperclip · 10/10 · 17 January 2017]

PLEASE PLEASE BRING THIS SHOW BACK! No one cares that it is a remake. I hate when people don't like shows because of that reason (for example US Skins another great canceled show.) I loved this like the US Shameless which did very good. I don't like the original version of this at all. But this show left you wanting more and more.Everyone did a great job acting in this show and due to the fact you don't have to constantly read the subtitles you can catch the whole story. I need to know what happens. Why would Netflix bring this out? They should buy the rights and continue with the series. There is really nothing more I can say except snobs need to get over it, so many remakes have been done in America and so many remakes have been done of American movies and or shows.

Really enjoyed

[Headturner1 · 7/10 · 20 February 2020]

I haven't watched US series in a while but I enjoyed this. It's shot like a TV show not beautiful in that manner but and the acting isn't sublime but it did leae me wanting more at every end. It's a shame how they left it. I didn't count the episodes and went to watch another and realized that was it. What will happen to Ben? Why did they come back and will they all be evil like the boy? Why did they eat all the time, not sleep? What about Jeremy sisto's character? Well we'll never know. But I think it was a strong series. Maybe someday they will make a second season.

"Les revenants" for dummies

[ian-ference · 1/10 · 10 March 2015]

This review is based on the first episode of the American remake of "Les revenants", probably the only episode I'll ever watch, given its almost overwhelming inferiority. Once again, someone - in this case, Carlton Cuse (who I have nothing against; I enjoy Bates Motel) - has gotten it in their head that a standout European offering needs to be remade in America. Remember "Gracepoint", the American remake of "Broadchurch"? Yeah, neither do I.

They follow the French script almost exactly, but the execution is terrible. Many of the older characters are made younger; most of the plain or even ugly characters are made at least somewhat attractive, if not hot. The pacing is terrible. Whereas the original featured shots that lingered over scenes to create atmosphere and lingered over characters' faces to allow them to subtly emote, the remake features fast cuts and dutch angles. Thus, the show loses any sense of subtlety. The original was a carefully crafted character drama with the feeling of an elegiac dirge; the remake is a plot-driven mess with none of the atmosphere. The characters simply are not believable in the way the characters in the original were; their motivations and emotions are completely opaque. The language is sanitized, presumably for some ratings board, but due to this does not feel real at all. The music is a far cry from the utterly atmospheric soundtrack composed by Mogwai for the French version. At best, this is an incompetent blunder; at best, it is a travesty against good taste, especially with "Les revenants" so widely available, including in America.

American studios need to start coming up with their own concepts and executing them well instead of badly ripping off European television. And they're certainly capable - from "Six Feet Under" to "Carnivale" to "Breaking Bad" to "True Detective", there have been plenty of good-to-great American programs. But they just fail every time they try to remake an exceptional European show. What's next, "Spiral", the American remake of "Engrenages", starring Angelina Jolie as Berthaud, Justin Bieber as Roban, and shot with a fisheye lens?

My summary.... AwEsOmE sHoW !!!!

[brightmare40 · 10/10 · 12 March 2015]

Now... what the other reviewers does not seem to understand is that this may not be as creepy or spine chilling as les revenants... but thats what the producers want to do.... the series is more interested in exploring the emotional dynamic between these newly resurrected souls and the living townspeople who have mourned (and, in certain cases, tried to forget about) them. For some, these returns are miraculous, a sign of fragile hope. After a brief prelude, The Returned opens with Camille (India Ennenga), a young teenager killed four years earlier in a school-bus accident, wandering back to her home. Her mother, Claire (Tandi Wright), returns from a support-group meeting to find her once-deceased daughter making a sandwich: "I know you're probably worried," Camille says, presuming her mother's dismay is because she's come home after curfew. "I would have called you, but I lost my phone." Claire contacts her now-ex-husband (Mark Pellegrino), and the pair gaze at their daughter with a mixture of wariness and awe. The couple's gratitude is tinged with dread; counterbalancing their apprehension about the forces that have permitted Camille's resurrection is the fear that she might just as easily disappear again. This is a promising new series with great actors and awesome production....

Great Series, Sadly undervalued by the A&E Studios

[zemoguy · 9/10 · 25 September 2017]

Great Series!...I Very rarely write or review anything but lets say it how it is with regard to The Returned and it's quite simple. Firstly, you really do not need to be a professional reviewer or an intellectual to know what you do or do not like when it comes to a TV series. In this instance I downloaded this series and watched each episode over a period of 3 evenings. Usually any viewer would know by the end of either the first or second episode whether they are hooked by the series or end up watching each episode under duress. In my case I was hooked by whole series and by the well rounded performances of the actors and the clever plots and subplots. Sadly, it wasn't until I reached episode 8 and wondered where the series was going that I found out that there was no plans for a second series. It's a major shame and criminal that there are Television companies out there that are legally allowed to dangle Television series in front of its viewers and then deprive them of a follow up series or, at least, a well rounded finale to the whole series. The French counterpart to this series, Les Revenants, at least had the decency to film a second series. Putting the Television viewer first, before its ratings! Shame on you A&E Studios!

Great show

[rupert-ian · 9/10 · 3 February 2018]

I binge watched this in about three days recently while on a small MEW kick.

I can't understand why nobody watched this show, I thought it was great. The characters were great and well acted, the story was great, it had great pacing and kept you wondering.

I knew going in that there was a cliffhanger ending and no season 2. I feel bad for the people who were watching when it was actually on, and didn't know it would be left without anything close to an ending to the story.

I see the usual jabs taken at Americans in the negative reviews. I guess that's the cool thing to do these days. Bash Americans and act superior for liking the original more.

I am American and have no problem watching foreign movies and shows, but a lot of people don't like subtitles and if a show isn't on their normal networks, they usually don't seek it out. If people didn't watch this one enough to keep making it, do you really think the French version would have drawn in more viewers? I doubt it. It's all about viewers and viewers = money.

I liked the story, so I WILL seek out the French version. People shouldn't be so mad about the US version, I am sure it did nothing but bring more viewers to the original series. So, go easy on it.

Poor American Remake

[SolitaryFalcon · 3/10 · 18 March 2015]

The opening lines of this series are the same as the French original series which bears the same name; this show is a remake of drama made in 2012 about people who come back to life in a small French village. The original show portrays a perspective of how families would react if this was the case and what the implications would be of these persons' returning to their own daily lives and families.

This remake does not attempt to create its own identity with the plot of the original, it merely poorly imitates both the plot and the atmosphere of the original. The original created an eerie atmosphere which made it engaging and intriguing. It blended beautiful cinematography, an outstanding soundtrack and solid acting to entice you to enter this small village and engage with its world. In this remake the camera shots do not suit the atmosphere it wants to achieve, neither do the actors or the soundtrack.

A remake does not have to mean too replicate; yet this show chooses to replicate the original and does it poorly.

Good netflix Series

[alistairc_2000 · 8/10 · 12 March 2015]

Okay this is the same series they have been putting out for the last 10 or 15 years. I happen to really enjoy it. Everyone else seems to think that it was terrible.

I have not seen the French series so this is my first bite of the apple and yeah I was impressed.

The age old question of where have they been surfaces yet again. Some people are in a bus that crashes and others just return. A bit like in Surface and a host of other returned type shows.

The characters and actors are very good. It is well shot and looks great in HD. Of course I was hoping for something like Twin Peaks but the 4400 well that is a good second choice.

Though if they had a flying dog in it I would give it a 10. Nothing to do with the review but I do not have enough lines so I thought I would use the lines from Paradise theatre by Styx. The line as sure as dogs can fly. Now I bet I have the right amount of lines.

Well I enjoyed the show.

Gets stuck in the 'what if' phase

[jacobfrankp · 4/10 · 7 May 2017]

Stephen King says he doesn't plot. He just starts out with a situation in mind - one that can usually be described as a 'What If?' situation - and lets the story grow from there. It works for him.

This show also had a 'what if' situation in mind: 'What if dead people started returning?' Well. Great. Now you've got a premise. Lets see what happens next, shall we?

NOTHING! Nothing happens next! Well, of course some things happen, but it's more of a regular drama now - with love triangles and such - and it has hardy anything to with the premise anymore. I mean, sure, some of the people involved are now 'returned'. That fact registers, but it doesn't affect the drama. (The Australian show 'Glitch', which has the same premise, does this better.)

Sure, we get SOME 'hints of development' here and there, creepy kid is indeed creepy and such, but there is no actual progress in the development of the basic premise. If that's point A, we don't get to point B. We find out nothing as to why, how, who, and/or what's next. We're basically stuck watching a regular soap opera.

A badly written one at that. If you 'break up a fight' not by pushing or holding people away from each other, but by almost bashing someone's skull in with a heavy and blunt object, the guy whose skull you almost bashed in is obviously going to be a bit grumpy, isn't he? You're going to at least have some words about that. In this show too? Naah. Bash someone's skull in, guy says nothing about it. Doesn't even blame you. After all, you were breaking up a fight weren't you? Therefore you meant well by almost murdering me.

Also, apparently you can shoot unarmed people for no reason and still be the good guy. Woman who loved your victim all her life to the point of obsession won't even blink, lie to the cops for you.

Both of these scenes are bad enough on their own, what makes them worse is that they are completely out of character. Both of these guys are supposed to be the boring, sensible ones. Were we viewers wrong about them? Were they actually psychos and it's only now revealed? Nope. They go back to being boring and reasonable as if nothing happened. No reveal. Just bad writing.

More I think about it, more terrible it was.

Gripping an addictive drama series

[russ-29964 · 21 January 2017]

My partner & I loved this series. We eagerly waited for each weekly episode release on Netflix.

We got several of our friends hooked on this show too. After seeing every episode an wanting more, we obtained the french older version once shown on channel 4 which although was OK we preferred this version an really wished they has carried on with more seasons of this show. As this version is very watchable an better than a lot of stuff on TV. The acting is superb, Drama is gripping People cast in the roles are well suited to their characters. Not too much violence or swearing just good acting with a good plot and good scenes an sets.

like it

[firecap-78294 · 10/10 · 29 April 2015]

Did not see the euro/french series. I am enjoying this thriller just fine. Feel bad for actors that people are beating up on. I don't think that is a good summary of them. I do agree with the remaking of many movies/series. I watched one episode of Secret and Lies. Whoever is directing that series was not a gifted director. Facial expressions from Lewis made me crack up. Terrible remake of a good Australian series. Just like the series The Slap. Which again was Australian. Gracepoint should never have been done,either!! No way to top Brits in that series. Not sure who is making these decisions.But it seems like so many shows I do watch on cable seem to be cancelled after the first season. Bad calls being make by people with info that I don't understand where it comes from? But bottom line I am enjoying The Returned on A&E

Original drama whereby beloved persons deceased strangely walk back into town years later.

[robertemerald · 8/10 · 17 January 2018]

I have seen the original French drama on which this is based. I've also seen the brilliant first season of The Leftovers. I'm a science fiction fan, so such shows are all good news to me and I'm therefore bias. The scope for failure in such shows is all down to the actors, the script and the plot. All three shows succeed brilliantly. It's almost edge-of-your-seat viewing, all have a certain horror, and brought out in me a strange fascination that was a surprise and very enjoyable. There's a depth of thought by the writers that is, from a science fiction point of view, truly brilliant, and certainly original. There are movies that use such themes but have to use a certain quirkiness, or failing that a certain catastrophic horror, that don't succeed as well as this series. It comes across as very honest, very human, a certain unknowable horror, even with those that find themselves alive again, and is thus very watchable. I have to take my hat off to brave television that walks such a tight-rope. I'm docking The Returned two points for not being brave enough to resolve the season sufficiently (for me). I could see a great ending there, but it's stalled, presumably to make way for a second season. From memory the French version had this problem as well.

Excellent New Comedy

[meliarobert · 9/10 · 2 April 2015]

I'm currently watching the American version of The Returned. It's set in a sleepy American town where 4 years ago a school bus containing around 30 schoolchildren crashed over the side of a mountain attempting to avoid a young kid stood in the middle of the road. Fast forward to present day and people from the crash return home out of the blue. They haven't aged a day and they are all very hungry. The main character is a whiny little teenager who has an even whinier twin sister who is now 4 years older than her and has stolen her boyfriend in the time she's been away. The returned twin gets her revenge by trashing the older twins room in an awful display of teenage angst altogether. The older twin is also noticing mysterious bloodied scratches on her body since the returned twin arrived back on the scene. In another subplot a curly haired stud has returned to learn his fiancé is now set to marry the policeman who originally informed her of the bad news that the curly hair stud is dead….on their wedding day. The curly haired stud shows up at her house but she tells him to go away in no uncertain terms as she's convinced she's going mental and he's just a figment of her imagination. He then shows up at the school where she works and she engages in conversation with him this time and even brings him to show him their daughter……whilst still thinking he's not real. As this is going on the present day husband to be ( the policeman ) has cameras set up all over her gaff and is spying on her from his laptop like some present day William Baldwin in the movie Sliver ( the 90's one where Sharon Stone gets her kit off which isn't Basic Instinct or Intersection or Casino ) The older whiny twin then gets chatting with the female fiancé and informs him she was chatting with a curly headed stud in her bar who was looking for her ( the fiancé ). It is at this moment that the fiancé realizes he has really returned and is in fact real and she is not losing her mind. Not the fact that he was screaming outside her house for half an hour a few nights back. And not the fact that she's just spent an entire day with him talking about their past and showing him their daughter. No. It is this conversation with whiny older twin which confirms he is back. He shows up at her house again that night like Heathcliff on heat and this time she locks lips with him. This embrace is of course witnessed by the stalking policeman who stews in his office and then locks the door to have a sly one of the wrist probably. In amongst all this drama is the murder of some woman down an alleyway ( who incidentally was shagging the twins father ) and the return of the little boy who caused the initial crash. He is now being looked after by some woman who is hoarding him in her house like Kathy Bates in the movie Misery. It's one of the best comedies on Netflix at the moment. Highly recommended.

Absolute Rubbish

[stevethomas12 · 1/10 · 10 March 2015]

Watched this first episode and can guarantee this will never get any better. Obviously copied the French script but without the acting ability to compare to the original "Les Revenants. To write a review of this dross in a minimum of 10 lines is extremely difficult due to the fact that there is absolutely nothing positive I can say about this episode. I cannot remember watching anything so awful for a long time. The music doesn't belong to the story line, whoever chose the sound track must have watched the wrong TV series by mistake. Having watched and enjoyed Resurrection which is based on the same book "The Returned" why do we need a similar story so soon, especially this utter drivel.