The opening scene of Furies (2024) drops us into a rain-soaked Parisian alleyway, where Lyna (Lina El Arabi) watches from the shadows as her parents are gunned down. It’s a brutal, unflinching moment that sets the tone for this French Netflix action drama: visceral, uncompromising, and steeped in the grimy underbelly of crime-ridden Paris.

Created by Jean-Yves Arnaud and Yoann Legave, Furies follows Lyna’s quest for vengeance after her parents’ murder. The series leans heavily into its Parisian setting, using the city’s labyrinthine streets and neon-lit alleys as a character in itself. Marina Foïs delivers a standout performance as Selma, aka the Fury, the enigmatic peacekeeper of Paris’s six major crime families. Her presence is magnetic, balancing ruthless pragmatism with a weary world-weariness that grounds the series in emotional reality.

The action sequences are where Furies truly shines. Choreographed with thrilling technical precision, these set pieces—from brutal hand-to-hand combat to high-speed chases—are filmed with a kinetic energy that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The fight scenes are particularly noteworthy for their realism; unlike many action series, Furies eschews flashy moves in favor of raw, brutal exchanges that feel authentically dangerous.

However, the series isn’t without its flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some plot developments feeling rushed or under-explored. The relationship between Lyna and her boyfriend Elie (Jérémy Nadeau) is one such casualty; it’s introduced late in the game and never quite gains the emotional weight it needs to feel impactful.

Additionally, while the series excels in its action sequences, the dialogue can sometimes fall flat. There are moments where exposition feels heavy-handed, and characters resort to explaining their motivations outright rather than letting their actions speak for them. This is particularly noticeable in the interactions between Lyna and Selma, where more subtle character development could have gone a long way.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Mathieu Kassovitz as Driss brings a certain gravitas to his role, but Steve Tientcheu as Simon feels underutilized, his potential sidelined by the series’ focus on its female leads. Quentin Faure and Jérémy Nadeau deliver solid performances, but their characters often feel one-dimensional compared to the richly drawn Selma.

Where Furies truly stands out is in its originality. It’s a series that doesn’t shy away from exploring complex themes of vengeance, family, and justice within the context of organized crime. The Parisian underworld setting adds a layer of authenticity that sets it apart from other action dramas, and the female-led narrative is a refreshing change from the male-dominated genre tropes.

In the end, Furies is a series that delivers on its promise of thrilling action and compelling drama.