The Returned

The Returned, originally titled in French as Les Revenants, is an intriguing supernatural drama television series that aired on Canal+ from 2012 to 2015. Based on the critically acclaimed 2004 French film "Ils" by Robin Campillo, this remake is a unique and engrossing blend of mystery, drama, and horror that captures the essence of human emotions, societal norms, and existential crises.

Set in a small mountain town in France, the story revolves around a group of people who mysteriously return from the dead in immaculate condition, unaware of their deaths. The backdrop is an idyllic community known for its beauty and tranquility, which gives the icons of life and death a stark contrast, adding to the ambiance and themes of the show at a deep, engaging level.

The Returned focuses on various characters who cross the barrier of life and death, rematerializing years or even decades after their untimely and most often tragic deaths, and their interaction with the living residents of the town. Their sudden and unexplained reappearances disrupt life as the town knows it, causing profound disturbance and a chain of events that challenge the boundaries of normalcy.

Adding to this peculiarity is the fact that those who return, come back to life exactly as they were before they died, unchanged in age or appearance, with no memory of their time spent 'on the other side.' Seemingly unaware of their deaths, they attempt to reintegrate into their lives and relationships, resulting in conflicted feelings of relief, horror, and uneasiness amongst their loved ones and the community at large.

As the series unfold, we witness how people on both sides of the life-death spectrum grapple with this unexplainable phenomenon. With the thoughts and emotions of the series' characters often introspective and esoteric, the series explores unique aspects of human nature such as mortality, relationship dynamics, and the concept of life and death itself.

One aspect where The Returned strikes a nerve is its vantage on the reactions of the living who are trying to come to terms with these unsettling events. The living, left behind, had learnt to move on with their lives, but the return of their loved ones, rather than bringing the expected joy, results in a peculiar mix of emotions underscored by confusion, fear, and a tinge of dread.

On the other hand, the 'Returned' are left to endure a maze of emotional turmoil as they try to comprehend their inexplicable circumstances, grapple with shifts in their lives and their relationships during their absence, and contend with their own existential dilemmas.

Moreover, the returning of the dead is accompanied by a series of chilling and ominous incidents in the town, such as a massive power outage, the water level of the town's reservoir mysteriously lowering, revealing the submerged part of the town, and murders starting to happen, which all come across as indicative of an impending unravelling.

The series successfully manages to evoke an eerie atmosphere, not through typical horror tropes, but through its slow-building suspense, intense character studies, and an overarching sense of dread. It lures viewers in with its tantalizing mysteries and keeps them hooked with emotional dramas and engaging character development.

The Returned also stands out for its cinematic direction, with impeccable cinematography that captures the uncanny beauty and strangeness of the French Alps, as well as its realistic and hauntingly beautiful portrayal of the local townsfolk's lives. The series' excellent performances, haunting score, and crisp, thoughtful screenplay serve to heighten the overall ripple effect.

The Returned is a true genre-defying series that uses the supernatural as a vehicle to explore the human psyche, the relationships between the living and the dead, the reluctance to let go, and the fear of the unknown. It's an unsettling yet profoundly moving series that will captivate fans of drama, supernatural, and horror alike. Additional exploration of the series’ plot and themes would breach the territory of spoilers but suffice it to say that The Returned is an exceptional series that combines elements of thriller, mystery, and drama with uncanny precision. This, combined with the seminal performances, distinguishes it as a beacon of supernaturally inclined television series.

In conclusion, The Returned is a uniquely impactful television series that eschews traditional narrative formulas and genre confines to embark on a rare exploration of life's biggest mysteries. It’s an emotional roller coaster that provides its audience with an unusual perspective on life, death, and everything in between.