Sous la terreur: A messy trip through the revolution

Is it worth the watch?

Honestly, only if you have a thing for old-school French historical dramas. If you need snappy pacing or modern thrills, you will probably hate it. It’s a bit of a relic, but it’s got enough grit to keep you awake.

The vibe

It’s loud. Not like, explosion-loud, but emotionally loud. Everything feels like it’s being played at the back of the balcony, if you catch my drift. 🎭

The costumes look like they’ve seen a few decades of storage, and there’s this weird, palpable dust on every single frame. I kind of liked that, actually.

Moments that stuck

• Marie Bell is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. She’s got this stare that makes the room feel smaller.
• There is a scene in a hallway that goes on for an eternity. The shadows are doing more acting than the guys standing in them.
• I found myself distracted by a prop chair that looked like it belonged in a school play.

It’s not as polished as something like The Untamed, but it’s got a weird, frantic energy. You can tell they were trying to capture that feeling of the guillotine looming over everyone’s shoulder.

Sometimes the dialogue feels like it was ripped straight from a stage script. It’s a bit stiff, sure. But then you get these moments where the actors just stop talking and the silence is actually… heavy.

It reminds me a bit of the feeling I got watching London, where everything feels just a little bit too tight. Like the walls are closing in, but for political reasons instead of just bad vibes.

Is it uneven?

Oh, absolutely. It’s incredibly uneven. Some parts feel like a sprint, and other parts feel like watching paint dry on a palace wall. If you’re looking for a smooth ride, look elsewhere.

I caught myself checking my watch, then immediately getting pulled back in by a sudden outburst. It’s a rollercoaster of engagement, really. 🎢

Don’t go in expecting a history lesson. Go in for the drama. And maybe the hats. Those hats are something else.