A runaway single mother with a dark past. A flower farm. A murder. A family with lots to lose. These are all solid ingredients for an engrossing mystery that has Netflix viewers hooked.
Since the French mystery series Under a Dark Sun premiered on Netflix on July 9, it’s quickly risen through the ranks into the top 10 most popular shows.
Watch With Us breaks down the reasons you’ll love this murder mystery, which hides some serious darkness in a beautiful setting.
‘Under a Dark Sun’ Is a Classic Whodunnit
In the first episode of Under a Dark Sun, Alba Mazier (Ava Baya) goes on the run from a violent living situation with her young son Leo (Max Harter). Desperate for cash, she’s surprised to get an email inviting her to interview for a job on a flower farm owned by the wealthy Arnaud Lasserre (Thibault de Montalembert). Shortly after she gets the job, however, Arnaud is found murdered — and Alba is set up to look like the prime suspect. Complicating things even further, it’s soon revealed that Alba is actually Arnaud’s biological daughter, and that he recently changed his will to include her.
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It seems very likely that one of Arnaud’s other heirs — including wife Béatrice (The Perfect Family‘s Isabelle Adjani), son Mathieu (Guillaume Gouix), daughter Lucie (Louise Coldefy) and granddaughter Manon Simoni (Claire Romain) — could be the culprit. But really, anyone who didn’t want the family status quo threatened could be responsible. Can Alba clear her own name?
Family secrets and hushed conversations paint a tangled web of deceit that keeps the suspense alive across all six episodes.
It’s Like ‘Succession’ But With French Accents
Isabella Adjani wears a pink suit at a funeral in ‘Under a Dark Sun.’ Netflix
If you’ve been missing the high-stakes inheritance drama and upstairs-downstairs of Succession, this is a perfect watch for you. Grieving the loss of their patriarch comes in second to deciding who will get his assets for the Lasserre family, and the drama is delectable.
In addition to the question of Arnaud’s will, it’s also revealed that the Lasserre family was about to make a lucrative deal with a perfume conglomerate to sell the farm and their signature roses — but Arnaud second-guessed the deal at the last minute. Now, all the family members have their own motives to continue with, or stop the deal.
There’s plenty of power-grabbing and manipulation at play, making it a compelling character study in addition to a gripping mystery.
The Setting Is Its Own Stunning Character
Ava Baya in ‘Under A Dark Sun’ Netflix
It’s hard to get a more visually gratifying setting than a flower farm. The darkness of Under a Dark Sun’s story contrasts wonderfully with the stunning roses, beautiful French countryside and palatial Lasserre estate.
The series was filmed in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, a southeastern region of France that provides breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. It’s a getaway to another world — albeit one where businessmen get stabbed to death in fields of flowers.
Thousands of Netflix Fans Can’t Be Wrong
The cast of Under a Dark Sun Netflix
Under a Dark Sun’s quick rise to popularity on Netflix illustrates how the captivating mystery, thrilling family drama and breathtaking setting have made it a must-watch series. Plus, it’s only six episodes — the perfect length for binge-watching.
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Add in stellar performances, rich character arcs and a satisfying finale, and it’s easy to see why this series has become a word-of-mouth favorite. Whether you’re in it for the suspense or the aesthetic, this one’s worth watching.
Watch Under a Dark Sun on Netflix.