The Break (2016–2018) User Reviews

A strong Belgian series taking place in the Gaume area

[BeneCumb · 8/10 · 4 December 2017]

Being a fan of Nordic and UK crime dramas, I try, from time to time, to widen my horizons and watch works with similar approach coming from other countries. A couple of times I have also come across Belgian related series and liked them rather lot.

True, they have all been Flemish ones. La trêve is the first one made in Wallonia, thus the basic language in French and the venues are so different from cities like Antwerp or Ghent... As I realised soon that the makers have liked Nordic Noir, I began to share the common feelings very soon, regardless of unknown performers and unvisited areas. The characters seemed realistic, I did not figure out the wrongdoer, the twists were there and not over-sophisticated; it is evident that a small community has its own secrets as well.

Well, the pace was not even as the last episodes started to sum up the events perhaps too hastily, after rather slow progression before, and the parallel psychiatrist interview revealed some moments too soon. Nevertheless, La trêve is a thrilling series, unless you like constant chases and cops having cute appearance and fancy cars...

A brooding and intense experience that crawls under your skin

[Metin_7 · 9/10 · 9 February 2017]

After trying several series on Netflix that didn't appeal to me, I decided to give the recently added La Trêve ('The Break') a try.

The first episode seemed like an exploration of the characters by the actors and creators, and it felt good. My curiosity was awakened and I looked forward to the next episode.

La Trêve turned out to get better with every episode. The brooding atmosphere and intriguing characters started to crawl under my skin. The main actor — Yoann Blanc — established an admirable performance. His character gets more and more intense as the series progresses. But just about every actor shines in La Trêve.

The story development is gripping, with several plot twists that leave the series relatively unpredictable until the end. I loved the aerial shots of the beautiful Ardennes scenery, adding a sense of mystery to the story. The atmospheric soundtrack really completes the dark, slightly surreal impression of La Trêve.

What I loved most is the dark, fatalistic tone that effectively surfaces more and more throughout the series, giving you an uncanny feeling of inevitable, impending doom as Yoann gets closer to solving the murder case, unveiling the hidden, twisted secrets of several village inhabitants.

If I'd have to say something negative about La Trêve, I'd reluctantly admit that some of the plot twists were a bit far-fetched. But the plot twists also kept the story thrilling.

La Trêve is a fine example of what is labeled as New Belgian Noir. An interesting, dark blend of elements from Twin Peaks, True Detective and Broadchurch.

An Excellent Melting Pot of a Detective Show

[lagourmandeverte · 8/10 · 29 December 2016]

Will "The Break" remind you of "Twin Peaks"? Yep. How about "Broadchurch" and "True Detective," or the French show "Les Revenants"? Check, and check (and the show's creators have even admitted as much). Okay, now that we've gotten what a bunch of other reviews and interviews have already noted (mostly on French websites), let's get to the execution of the show, and why it's so darn good. And yes, it is really good - in spite of reminding you of Lots of Things That Have Come Before It.

The plot: as stated above, there is a soccer player who turns up dead. A brooding detective who is new to town (for reasons that become increasingly clear as the story unfolds) is the chief investigator on the case. That's all I can really say without spoiling anything - and you really have to know as little as possible about this show to enjoy it to the fullest extent.

The execution: This is an excellent sort of whodunit, complete with Log Lady-type characters, dark and creepy woods, and lots of other goings-on that are of a highly suspicious nature (David Lynch is chuckling somewhere, that's for sure). I was hooked after one episode - and I mean, hooked. As in, I binged all of these in two days. This surprised me, as I went in having read a couple of lukewarm reviews that implied it might be too similar to the above-referenced shows; it's not. Rest assured that the Belgians have taken some of the greatest elements of these shows and really mixed them into something altogether new and incredibly fun to watch.

The story will keep you guessing; the characters are definitely not entirely what they seem, and each episode does one of those super- fun cliffhangers that has you immediately pressing "play the next episode." It's definitely less "produced-looking" and the small townsfolk really look like - well, small townsfolk. Heiderfeld does seem like the kind of place where things are bubbling just underneath the surface. It's a heck of a fun ride and I can't wait for Season Two!

FYI for those who are parents, or those who might be squeamish - it's a bit gory (dead bodies up close; lots of blood; scary visions), and as it's a European show, there are a lot of nudity and sex. Fair warning.

Season 1: Good; Season 2 RIVETING

[shelleyaleedahl · 10/10 · 18 February 2019]

I was fortunate to stumble onto this gem via Canadian Netflix, and it was the intense acting talent of protagonist Yoann Peeters (Yoann Blanc) and the family drama subplots - with Yoann's daughter, Camille (Sophie Breyer)) and her immensely watchable friend Zoe Fischer (Sophie Marechal) - that kept me interested in the first season, but Season 2 was an entirely different ballgame. AMAZING. Episode upon episode, Season 2 was like a snake in the grass: I just couldn't predict which way it would turn, and I freaking loved that, of course. The diverse cast and high degree of potential perps ... the extraordinary acting ... the wild party scene Camille's much older artist girlfriend was involved in ... the forest landscapes ... Joann's disintegrating mental health ... contrasting social classes (great portrayal of Dany's trashy home life, with special kudos to Sophia Leboutte, who played his mother, and Noemie Schmidt, who played sister-in-law Sophie Bastin - I believed in these female characters 100%) ... and a main character with what appeared to be honest-to-goodness psoriasis! Great call, too, on using Balthazar songs for the openings. (You can be sure a lot of people "Shazam" those moody theme songs to find who who's behind them).

A few questions though. I'm not sure why there were so many comic(relief) characters; it's over the top (ie: the IT guy, and goofy Tino, and Yoann's hokey/spooky neighbours), and unnecessary. Yeah, I get it that the overall tone is dark, but audiences, methinks, can handle that. Also I got a little weary of Yoann's excessive cold-water-splashing on the face. Really? That often? And in Season 1, does rookie cop character Sebastian Drummer (Guillaume Kerbusch) really need to scowl that much? (After Season 1, all I could think of was how relieved I was I wouldn't have to see that scowl again ...)

Because this was the opposite of most of what I see out of the US, ie: predictable right down to the final words - oh god, Bird Box - and the cast was SO strong, I have to give it a 10.

Broadchurch in Belgium

[Red_Grim_Grumble · 8/10 · 24 December 2016]

The similarities are unavoidable. A recently disgraced big-city cop moves to a small town just in time to lead an investigation in a rare murder. With a resentful less-experienced partner he uncovers a lot of uncomfortable secrets about a community in which anyone can be a suspect. But a show doesn't have to be wholly original to be good. Just look at the two separate high-quality adaptations of the Danish series "The Bridge". Besides all a mystery series has to deliver is: an identifiable victim, plenty of suspects, and multiple twists. On these three fronts "La Treve" fully succeeds. Not to mention it does plenty to distinguish itself from that similar BBC series. Surprisingly it has an even darker view of humanity. As the unstable detective pessimistically asserts to his underling "Anyone is capable of murder". A point that is driven home hauntingly by beginning nearly every episode with a different character's nightmare of how they might be involved. Not to mention the fact that the entire series is told in retrospective from a mental hospital, where the main character has found himself following the events of the story. Yoan Peeters was a detective on the rise in Brussels until he got four members of his squad killed when he ordered them into a drug den without waiting for back-up. Like everything else in this series it is much more complicated than it first appears. But with that cloud hanging over his head he returns to his childhood home of Heiderfeld, with his sullen daughter who missed the big city even before she left. He hasn't even reported to work yet when the overwhelmed young detective Sebastian Drummer conscripts him into helping with a just discovered dead body. Most of the force has never dealt with such a situation and they need help. This series makes a better case than most crime shows about how resources and finances dictate the level of police-work. When it looks like this was a suicide the Chief cancels an autopsy, not because he's trying to cover anything up, but because the town can't afford it. The unspoken villain of the series is poverty. Poor economics has forced many in this simple town to succumb to various forms of corruption. The only dependable income for some residents seems to come from strong-arming farmers to sell for the new electric dam or throwing a soccer match to benefit mob gamblers. The latter of which may have contributed to the murder of the preeminent defender of the local club. Seen only in video messages to his family and the aforementioned dream sequences his name was Driss Asani, a drafted prospect from Africa; and as you may have guessed his death doesn't stay ruled a suicide. Yoann's detective acumen finds more than enough evidence of homicide and even more possible suspects. For a quiet rural community it certainly has more than it's share of decidedly modern eccentrics. Peeling away the placid exterior of the community certainly reveals a lot of shady characters that are not eager to share their secrets with the police. But does having something to hide automatically make someone a murderer, as the amphetamine-fueled Yoann too often accuses. Or are they all guilty of feeding a growing monster of corruption that would eventually require a human sacrifice for their collective sins. Yoann's investigation creates much more damage than it ever does justice. It leaves no one unscathed, especially himself. But this unflinching look at the desperate people created by desperate times does prove that his cynical observation was correct. Anyone is capable of murder.

Season 2

[captain_astronaut · 6/10 · 19 February 2019]

Spoilers! . . . . . . I really liked season 1 for the most part, but season 2 has the same issues. Mainly no one talks to each other. Everyone seems to have a crucial bit of information that they've had opportunity since episode 1 to relate. But do they? Nope. Then we have Yoann's uncanny knack for getting people (indirectly) murdered (and this time, more than one body). Subplots are totally dropped. His daughter and the pot hippies disappear completely a little over halfway through. The comic relief couple, who murder two people, drive off in their new RV never to refered to again (neither are the people they murdered discussed).

Yoann is clearly over the edge again, and none of the cops even do the simple things of tossing him in a cell to make him sleep.

There's the Sixth Sense couple (utterly ridiculous) who also disappear. The art lady who cleans out dead lady's bank, is never referred to again. Marjo, who showed promise in season 1, is just as dumb or dumber in season 2. So many opportunities for her to blow this case wide open, yet keeps her trap shut because she's Inna relationship with a buffoon she obviously has no respect for as an officer of the law. I spent half the time yelling at my screen.

It's produced well, and acted well, but instead of stretching this out for 10 episodes, they should've made a tight 6 and cut out the ridiculous padding.

Disturbing

[joannpl · 8/10 · 17 August 2018]

I like crime/ drama/ thrillers very much. And I do love Europpean take on that area of tv, however, I didn't expect what I have experienced while watching that one. It was deeply disturbing, with some graphic scenes and pretty much depicting human filth in all possible forms. It was very depressing in that extent. And although I watched it awaiting the solution for the whole time - right until the very end, I wouldn't return to re-watch it because I felt exhausted, as if I was in that small town, at the time of those events. For those wo will think "So it's not worth watching" I say - that only proves how good the story is written and executed. Yoann Blanc's acting is a-ma-zing, he presented the rapid mental deterioration in a very beliavable way. His growing suspiciousness is shared by the viewers, although you do realize that he overdoses time and time again and that pills push him over the edge. But you still keep on watching to see whether he was right, what will happen with him... I highly recommend, however - bear in mind that it's not a relaxing tv show for Sunday binge-watching.

Deteriorates In Second Half

[aphillips-43057 · 7/10 · 12 February 2018]

My wife and I really liked the series for a while, but it went down hill in the second half of the season. The lead detective's behavior became so unstable and unprofessional that it wouldn't have been tolerated. Plus, the ending was rushed and not very believable. We would have given it an 8.0, but dropped it to a 7.0 as the season drew to an end.

Gripping and dark

[ihz-77537 · 8/10 · 9 April 2018]

I enjoyed the series thoroughly, completeing it within a few days. I loved all the dark forest shots, some of the creepy dreams, the somewhat satisfying twists where justice is served. Lots of good characters and good plotlines, but Peeters gets to be exhausting and it doesn't feel like the people who are supposed to keep him in check but don't ever get checked for it. I loved Driss' character. I loved how fully fleshed out he was, how present in each episode rather than becoming the dead black guy. The very final twist is my only disappointment - didn't make sense, served too abruptly...

Otherwise superb series marred by unrealistic plot

[username666 · 6/10 · 6 August 2020]

I started off loving this series but felt let down by the preposterous ending. The premise, acting and cinematography are all superb and for the most part so is the writing -the framing story is that the lead detective is in a mental institution and doesn't remember why! There are enough plot twists to leave you dizzy (in a good way) but result in an incongruous story. I willingly suspended disbelief over looking all the plot holes and convenient coincidences for most of the 1st series but they got worse and worse as it progressed and the end was nonsensical.

a riveting murder mystery full of surprises

[timcurryisgod · 8/10 · 29 October 2017]

The Break is a murder mystery set in a small European village. As the mystery unfolds, it seems the suspect is easily found, but as the investigation goes deeper, a entire web of deceit is unfolded and almost no one in the village is free from suspicion. SPOILER ALERT: Character development & plot******************** * * * this begins to have an effect on Inspector Peeters' (the main character) sanity. The mystery is finally revealed and it's truly surprising; a very satisfying and suspenseful murder mystery.

Gripping but stupid.

[Good-Will · 6/10 · 9 January 2017]

So I've read the reviews comparing it to Twin Peaks and any other show that popped into the reviewer's mind. No, no and thrice no.

The detective (Peeters) is inept and doesn't have the basic training which would have ruled out a lot of the red herrings which are metaphorically forced down our throat in this overextended series. As usual in these things then the writers take advantage of current technology when it fits the plot but the poor old detective has to ignore everything other than CCTV when it comes to ascertaining the killer's identity.

The final reveal is as stupid as it is unexpected (and also totally unbelievable). So if you're impressed by multi-layered story lines (as I am) then this is interesting, but the fact is that those story lines have to fit together somehow as they did in The Missing, Nobel and other series which are much more worthwhile watching than this. The sudden appearance of character X in place Y is rarely explained, as is the sheer incompetence of the lead detective. This is excusable if the plot takes place in a complete and utter vacuum, but not when it's in the modern day and a reference to Game of Thrones is thrown in.

If Peeters had watched half the number of detective shows that I have then he'd have been able to discover the killer's identity within a few hours using GPS data. So 6/10 from me since it was well acted and kept me hooked, but overall it was disappointing.

How many times?

[palacerevolution2000 · 4/10 · 14 August 2019]

I forced myself to finish Season 1. I knew early on who it was going to be. First off I thought 10 episodes could and should have been maybe 5. And how many freakin times was Peeters going to go full on ballistic on a suspect? I think it happened 5 or 6 times that he "had the guy". There were just too many climaxes. It is ridiculous to believe that a lead investigator could behave in such an over the top manner. And yes - what was his problem to begin with?

Fan of anything non American and I'm Canadian

[Jennifer138 · 10/10 · 7 April 2019]

So I have read the majority if the reviews on here and am quiet surprised by how low they are. I have rated Le Treve a 10 and I fell it is deserved for many reasons. The casting is far from boring, but maybe that's because I am accustomed to wasted money on the same old thing over on this side of the world. I love dark drama, cinematography and depth and I have only found that watching programs such as Le Treve, Broadchurch, Shetland, Peeky Blinders, The Bridge, Bordertown etc etc.

This program had a few quicks in it however it did not take away from the intensity of what the characters were portraying. I felt Joann Blanc was incredible, a character in which you not sympathize with but truly feel the emotions. Maybe it's the difference between English and subtitles. Never watch something that has been dubbed as everything is lost in translation.

I feel if you are a fan of a dark intrigue that leaves you wanting more this is worth a watch

Hooked

[papillondenuit101 · 10/10 · 21 April 2019]

Series usually let me down after the first season, but watching the 1st and 2nd season...I'm ready to wait for as long as it takes (please don't rush the process) for the 3rd season!!

Too much

[silverspawnx · 7/10 · 21 December 2019]

La trêve is a strange beast. The problem I have with this show is one that I almost never have, and conversely, most of the problems I frequently have do not apply to this show.

Let me first list some of what's good, because there's plenty. The writing feels fresh and authentic, nothing is cheesy or over-the-top, and the main character is miles away from being a typical hero character, or indeed a typical character of any kind. The show understands that different people see thew world fundamentally differently, and that this is reflected in almost everything they do. As a consequence, most of its characters feel highly believable.

And the landscape shots deserve special praise. There are so many wide-range camera shots in this show, and I'm super into it. They're amazingly beautiful. I especially love how, even though they were already common in season 1, the second season totally doubles down and adds them even more frequently. They never stopped being gorgeous.

The problem then, simply put, is that the show is too tragic. I don't generally mind stories being tragic, hence why I said I almost never have this complaint. But this show is -unnecessarily- tragic. It goes out its way to be tragic. It's tragic even at the expense of making sense. In both seasons, but particularly the second, the ending is basically optimized to be as tragic as possible It's just too much. It's way too much. The series finale is just absolutely horrific and miserable, and it was neither necessary nor called for. It wasn't even a plausible way for events to occur. It doesn't feel earned, it just feels unnecessary.

To a lesser extent, I also took some issue with the ostensibly supernatural elements in the second season. They were quite out of place.

The challenge is to determine the culprit ...

[Kakus-Popoks · 8/10 · 12 February 2019]

Great police series with credible characters. We are absolutely baffled with who is the culprit until the final chapter. The paranoia, passion and despair of the main character are intensely lived. There are also the small pills that provide the very secondary giving a touch of humor that places us in what is a small town. In the second there is a party that reminds us of something that was portrayed in his last work by a teacher. Recommended for a weekend and see it in one go.

Exasperating and wonderful at the same time, this series captivates and frustrates.

[msghall · 7/10 · 7 March 2019]

Over two seasons, The Break has proven itself to be a finely-made series. Heavy on the emotional toll of murder investigations, this series is expertly filmed and mostly well acted. The stories are complex but easy to follow. Trouble is, some of the characters, such as that of the lead's daughter, are painted as stupid and naive to a degree that is ridiculous. Over two seasons, the daughter and her friend, despite being young adults, act so irrationally over and over again that you grit your teeth at how stupid the filmmakers think we are.

The rural police being comically inept and corrupt is an amusing 'break' from the grime and emotional wear and tear of the rest of the show, but some of the plot-driven idiocy of some characters takes away from the overall impact. A little more time spent developing these characters would have gone a long way to making this a top notch show.

Suspenseful and "cannot stop watching series"

[ewkadaw · 9/10 · 7 May 2019]

Love how interesting those full of forest and small town crimes episodes could be and characters and so on. I love how after seeing hundreds of good crime series there is still another one that could take your breath away. Gripping to say the least .. also..a good crime series do let you keep guessing who' s done it to the last second ...it has got it all! Very good Belgium series!

Not surprising, but still good

[mlfabian · 7/10 · 25 February 2019]

Almost from the start I knew who did it. But it was still a good story and well done. The music and sound, the dramatic moments, the main character - all excellent. It kept me interested, especially at the beginning. Close to the end I got a little bored, but still continued. I would watch it again. Now on to Season 2..!

Quirky twists set it apart.

[paulcreeden · 9/10 · 31 December 2016]

I will begin by saying I was enthralled with this Belgian mystery series on Netflix. And I watch a lot of them.

Yoann Blanc as Peeters rivals any of the modern detectives in his interpretation of the functional mental illness of a sincere crusader. He is the definition of quixotic. He tilts at every possible windmill in his way. It is both painful to watch and also engrossing.

The small rural town in Belgium is no Miss Marple village. It is filled with demons and their hapless accomplices. This darkness amplifies the frustration and suspense. Guillaume Kerbush as Drummer plays a truly clueless Dr. Watson, who successfully takes his character from vacuous to potentially sinister. This was one of the twists I enjoyed most.

Peeter's daughter Camille, played by Sophie Breyer, is a broody lesbian who neutralizes the teenage aspect of the story. Her reactions to her peers are well played and subtle. The supportive cast is evenly talented. I have to mention Alexis Julemont as Timotee, the mad Swede. He added a surreal element to the story which helps to set it apart.

I would watch another season, despite some dissatisfaction with the ending of this season. The ending seemed a bit too artsy-French for a hard detective story. Perhaps it was meant as a teaser for a second season.

Plot twist galore, bad policing yet an entertaining series.

[lmolly-83015 · 6/10 · 29 March 2020]

This show evolves around a police officer who moves to his childhood town and has to solve a murder on his first case back. Only problem is he has a troubled past, is not stable and is not a very good cop either. Jumping from conclusion to conclusion without properly investigating. This makes for an intense watch as you feel like he could either selfdestruct or solve the case at any moment.

The acting is good in my opinion but the story drags on a bit too long with sideplots that just distracts from the main story. Mainly the teen drama presented by the daughter and friends is misplaced and takes away from the show.

All in all it was as entertaining as it was annoying.

Season 2 has some small changes, the plot twist are still here in bunches but the daughter her presence is reduced. Also the emergence of characters with an "Fargo" esque style of stupidity is a welcome relief to counter the still very unstable and intense lead. The show still relies on the many plot twists, has alot of bad policing and is yet capable to keep my attention.

Aaagh

[geranium-33450 · 3/10 · 30 October 2020]

Why did I watch this? I had a vague memory of the first season but had forgotten about the unusual mental health issues of the hero. This is dreadful. It could have been a good crime drama in a scenic location. The ghost ruined that. The three points are for the Ardennes.

The Break

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 21 May 2021]

This Belgian crime drama is set it the Ardennes. The first season involves an investigation into the death of Driss Assani, a nineteen year old from Africa who played football for the town of Heiderfeld. Leading the investigation is Inspector Yoann Peeters, who has just returned to Heiderfeld with his teenage daughter. His boss believes it was a clear case of suicide but Peetters isn't so sure. The story is mostly shown in flashback as Peeters, having suffered a memory loss, is questioned in a psychiatric facility; it is made clear early on that events led to several deaths.

Following these events Peeter's situation is somewhat changed but in the second season he is investigating another case; this one at the request of his psychiatrist; one of her other clients has been accused of murdering the wealthy woman he worked for, not long after serving time in gaol for murdering another woman.

Inevitably both investigations uncover numerous suspects with equally varied motives. This keeps the viewer guessing throughout both seasons. There are even questions about our protagonist, especially in the first season. The characters are interesting and varied. Of course there are moments that are more than a little farfetched but for the most part I found this added to the charm of the series. There is a degree of humour, sometimes fairly dark humour, which is unforced and enjoyable. The cast does an impressive job bringing their characters to life and the setting in beautiful to look at. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of murder mysteries.

These comments are based on watching the series in French with English subtitles.

international film

[jasonalaporta · 10/10 · 10 February 2019]

Love this show..creative. original and interesting .What American tv should be. Bring on season 3!!