13 Geboden (TV Series 2017–2018) Poster

(2017–2018)

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8/10
13 Commandments
Tweekums19 April 2018
This thirteen part Belgian crime thriller sees the police searching for an attacker who has been targeting people based on the Ten Commandments; each attack is accompanied by the appropriate commandment. While the attacks are brutal they are not fatal... that of course would break the commandment against killing. The attacker, dubbed 'Mozes' gains some sympathy amongst those who believe society has moved too far from Christian Ideals. The investigation is led by Peter Devriendt and his new partner Vicky Degraeve; each of whom have their own problems. Peter's daughter seems to be somewhat off the rails and Vicky's mother is in hospital with no chance of recovery following a car accident some time before. As the investigation progresses there are inevitably some false leads and Vicky finds herself in real danger.

Early on it looks as if this may be a Belgian 'Seven' but beyond the religious inspiration there are key differences; most notably that Mozes isn't a killer; something that makes a refreshing change amongst all the serial killer stories... that isn't to say he isn't brutal; his victims aren't going to fully recover. Towards the end things do get a bit melodramatic and there is a twist that some may feel goes too far. While some characters feel that Mozes's actions are justified the series makes it fairly clear that the creators don't expect viewers to sympathise with him too. The cast does a fine job with Dirk van Dijck and Marie Vinck impressing as Peter and Vicky; there is also in impressive supporting cast. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a fairly dark crime drama.

These comments are based on watching the series in Dutch with English subtitles.
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8/10
Well worth watching
goldstones-335921 April 2018
Although the story sometimes seems disjointed, this is because there are flashbacks put in at odd places. But it all makes sense. This is worthy of binge watching but I would suggest something light every couple of episodes. It can be a little heavy, but it never bores. This isn't an action movie, it plods along at a steady pace. The characters evolve steadily as does the storyline. It needs to be watched carefully and not just glanced at.
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8/10
Do not understand the reviews calling this "boring"! It's very gripping!
ellelou8 June 2019
Just finished the series and absolutely loved it. In fact, it is 3.30am right now because I just had to finish the series tonight. There are several twists that I really didn't see coming, and the show really takes you on a journey with Moses and even makes you stop and reconsider your own views. The character development is subtle but definitely there and the main cast is excellent, especially the male and female lead. It is a slower paced show like many of these foreign crime shows, but that doesn't mean boring. It is quite gripping and tells the story well. Great story characters and cast!
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7/10
A decent Belgian crime/thriller series with a massive twist.
I've enjoyed much Belgian crime TV series in the past, such as "The Break", "Salamander", "De Dag" and others, so I was eager to watch "13 Commandments" (original title: "13 Geboden") even though it is a rather lengthy show for my taste (13 episodes in total). The story is a classic serial-killer police procedural with a killer nicknamed "Moses" by the press who tortures his victims without killing them but leaving them traumatised and scarred for life. The plot is moving forward in a fast tempo and there is a colossal twist in episode 10 that leaves the viewer aghast. After that, you see the story through a totally different perspective. While it sounds, and on a certain level truly is, another formulaic crime show, "13 Commandments" has some merits that make it stand out in a positive way. The characters are nicely outlined, especially the two protagonists, Peter and Vicky, each having their own problems and troubled past. Furthermore, I found Dirk van Dijck's performance as Peter to be outstanding and after finishing watching this one, I instantly searched his filmography in order to see more of his work. The production values of the show are at a high level, as always in the Belgian cinema and television productions and overall I can safely say that "13 Commandments" is a binge-worthy series and many of you will watch it in one or two sittings.
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6/10
Too many loose ends
engelst26 November 2018
The story has its merit. Unfortunately the writers lose control after a while. Instead of being more gripping, the story just gets less believable. A pity, because the actors are doing a great job and the direction is spot on.
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7/10
Excellent !!
Vindelander31 December 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed it, although I didn't know any of the cast. Good twisty plot and it all hung together rather well. Not in quite the same league as The Bridge or The Killing but not far short.

Well worth seeing
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8/10
Top notch Belgian product
manugw15 September 2019
I enjoyed this noir crime series because they were finely produced. The locations, the dark theme scenes in line with the subject, the outstanding performance of Mr Van Dijck, everything looked natural including the surprising turn of events, secondary murky characters and places. I got trapped and gobbled up the 13 chapters. It gets better on the last three episodes. I could anticipate the ending but no the last minute. Smart script.
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6/10
Unintentionally hilarious
jerosystems13 September 2019
Interesting story that highlights how inept and out of touch police is with reality. It also shows how self-righteous and grandiose they are. I'm not sure if this was on purpose, but it is the most realistic detective show I've ever seen. (I'm only at episode 6 though, so not sure if this will remain true for the remainder of the show. I'll update this review as soon as I'm done with this season.)
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9/10
Dark and gripping
baunacholi-8615914 September 2019
This is stellar noir crime. What starts as the usual serial killer flick becomes soon an intense and very gripping masterpiece. The story evolves in small steps and what looks like loose ends are ultimately cleverly connected. There are many twists and turns but not for the pure sake of it but it just reminds you to never believe what u see on the 1st glance. There is way more in 13C. besides to figure out who is the killer. It really makes u think and questions pop up the likes of ... what if he's right ? You will see the abyss in people's mind & behavior and this will leave u sometimes speechless. All actors do a great job and I also liked the setting and light - it supports the twilight zone atmosphere. If you're up for something real and are done with high polished and sleek massmarket tv crime I can highly recommend this superb crime/drama! The only reason I left 1 star off was the very last scene which I found personally a bit bland compared to the overall greatness of the show.
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7/10
Belgian Equaliser
Js-bingewatcher19 December 2021
Overall a good series though at times a bit hard to follow with inconsistencies in the plot. Weak plots in some episodes and couldn't expressed the intensity which was intended. Otherwise it would have gotten a solid 9.
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8/10
And you thought there was only 10 commandment!.
aprilmike-5199110 August 2019
Yes Yes Yes scani noir from Belgium. Better than "7" cos Brad Pitt isnt in it. Has the obvious flaws that all TV/Film police dramas have but you can get over them. Well worth the time to watch. Just loved Vicky and her 'Trumpy'. Anther winner from our Continental friends even the cold seems to seep through the TV!!!
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6/10
What a waste after a great start
ntabet27 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Super thrilling start with great acting . Binge watched 6 episodes in a row . Then around the 9th episode the riddle started unveiling ... and it was so disappointing !

I mean a killer is killing one after the other and the police does not do any basic work of linking stuff together . They watched and were so passive . Ok i take that but the ending was so lousy.

Besides this , outstanding acting and directing But the acting does not suffice to make a series a great one . If the last 3 episodes were good enough , I would have simply awarded this series an 8. Alas, it ended with a disappointment .
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4/10
Starts good, but sinks midways.
christian-jebsen3 September 2019
Clearly the Belgian police force is way behind ln modern police methods, and I usually can overlook illogical twist, but these are too many and too obvious. Mozes is in the beginning organized and thoughtful, but descends into a total idiot.
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9/10
Great series! Worth it to watch!
edoherrera17 November 2019
Very good serie, a bit gore at the beginning but then a very good thriller and excellent criminal line, with action and also with an important social critic. Good casting and very good main actor.
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8/10
Very good criminal series!🙂
blacklabel01615 September 2019
Once again a very good Belgian crime series! As always a fantastic casting. Every actor is great and the story is intriging, dark and tense. Better than most american crime series!
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8/10
One of the better Belgian crime series
iMaas18 September 2019
Can't believe all the negative reviews saying the writing is bad or the plot is illogical or unbelievable. Common people, it's fiction. Belgian fiction. With rather good direction, cinematography. Great grading and coloring creating a film noir like atmosphere. And the acting is good with hardly a false beat. The story could've been more condensed. After an okay mid part, the ending pays off. Just see for yourself.
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5/10
Another in long line of similar Euro shows.
prashant-6367730 January 2020
Ho hum, similar kind of story as all europe tv shows. A vigilante killer & complex personal lives of detectives. Havent we all seen this a hundred times already? The pace is slow, lot of inconsequential stuff is packed in all episodes which have no direct bearing on the main plot line. I cant even call it a time pass show. Listless & lacklustre show. Good for a one time watch (if you do manage to get through it). Also, too long....shsouldnt have been more than 8 episodes.
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8/10
Slow start but then great!
pcornejoz13 April 2020
First of all, I believe Netflix has done an amazing job in developing this is kind of foreign content. As I said previously in other reviews, it's really refreshing to watch this kind of police thrillers that avoids all the same old "clichés", stereotypes, or the need of famous movie stars in it to boost popularity. Instead, gives you a great solid story with incredible twists. This one starts a little bit slow, so you need to give it some time. But then, after the first 3 chapters you won't regret it.
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9/10
Unique, natural and capturing !
ocenkg22 October 2023
I am amazed by the production's quality from a to z and equally surprised by its underrated character. I do not see beautiful girls nor handsome men who happen to be cops. Instead all I see is guys with all flaws and merits. I applaud wholeheartedly the characters Peter and Vicki as they are so real and talented. As each episode goes you can not help thinking how come these characters are both curious and weird . Aren't we all indeed ?

I don't know if the series will have second seasons . But I look forward to seeing Peter and Vicki in other suspense thriller to series as they are perfect match for each other. Not the lest the supporting actors and actresses are just fine! Thank you guys.
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8/10
Dark and twisted
BaronVonKolisch27 August 2020
Belgian cop drama that revolves around the arcane deeds of a person or group (codenamed Mozes) who have assumed a self-appointed guardian role within the local community. They are determined to stamp out moral turpitude by dishing out severe punishments to those who have violated an expanded version of the Ten Commandments. The punishments are invariably grisly and violent; words carved on a forehead with a knife, a tongue cut out, someone set on fire ... the theme of the punishment usually fits that of the crime.

Predictably, Mozes' brutal acts of retribution are glorified by known fascist groups and even garner support from the general public, who are tired of a 'soft touch' judicial system and society's declining morals.

Jaded cop Peter Devriendt puzzles over Mozes' real identity, aided by his ambitious new partner, Vicky. Outside of work, they both wrestle with the personal demons that plague their lives.

A cleverly constructed tale with twists and cliffhangers galore. The acting and character development are for the most part, utterly convincing. - 8.1/10
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3/10
I wanted to like it. So much.
derviktortomanov27 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
But I can't get over the fact that it was written in a manner you'd expect from some childrens tales. Nothing against those, just choose your audience.

Sorry.

I guess, that's what happens when a poor script mixes with some decent acting - you feel sorry.
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8/10
Not seven
sarkara14 March 2021
Very reminiscent of Seven, which has become the touchstone for assessing all thrillers with a biblical theme (in one of the episodes a cop sarcastically calls his colleague Brad Pitt in Seven). However, the show stands on its own and the characters are different from Seven. Unlike most other shows where the lead cop has a rebellious and jerk teenage child, the lead detective in this show has a 21 year old daughter who is trying hard to find her own path in life. The characters seem a little dispassionate at times, where you might expect them to exhibit a stronger emotional response, but I guess that saves us from hours of peachy drama so prevalent in the American shows.

The cinematography is very good, with a lot of neon lit night scenes, and the story taut. Recommend a watch.
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8/10
Good acting and realistic in the human interactions on the research workfloor.
charlesguynemer9 May 2022
Very good from the principal actors, no make up or babe appearances. Real life police detective work, humans with their forces ans weaknesses. Interesting to watch, good suspense so far.
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8/10
13 Geboden (13 Commandments)
ZegMaarJus16 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
13 Geboden (13 Commandments) is a Dark Flemish Thriller Crime Mystery. It is about Peter, a old detective. And Vicky, an old ME agent. They are hunting a Sinnerman named Mozes, he has to complete thirtheen commandments. A hunt full of hurt, killing and other crazy stuff.
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4/10
So long winded you don't care who Mozes is after about five episodes!
ingrid_roberts-3691419 December 2018
However, I did stay the course and unfortunately, the ending was disappointing. Didn't really know exactly what happened as there was no explanation. Left one in the air to deduce their own take of the ending!
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