Move over Call My Agent!—French television delivers a masterclass in tension with Dark Hearts (Cœurs Noirs), the gripping wartime drama that has audiences across Britain on the edge of their seats. Available to stream now on Channel 4's Walter Presents, this isn't your typical tale of clear-cut heroes and villains.
The series plunges viewers into the morally murky waters of German-occupied France, 1943. We follow the journey of Yves Rédélé (Théo Christine), a young man whose initial, almost naïve desire to join the Resistance quickly curdles into something far more complex and dangerous.
A Descent into Moral Ambiguity
Yves's idealism is swiftly shattered not by German brutality, but by the shocking actions of his own comrades. Forced to participate in a ruthless execution of a suspected collaborator—a local woman—by the very Resistance cell he sought to join, his world fractures. This traumatic baptism by fire sets the stage for a harrowing exploration of how war corrupts the soul.
The narrative then takes a breathtaking turn. To evade the aftermath, Yves and his friend are forced to impersonate two Milice officers—the dreaded French paramilitary force that collaborated with the Nazis. This audacious move sees them embedded within the lion's den, posing as the very monsters they set out to fight.
Brilliant Performances & Unrelenting Suspense
Théo Christine is phenomenal as Yves, perfectly capturing his transformation from a wide-eyed youth to a man drowning in a sea of moral compromise. The supporting cast, including Marie Bouvet as the enigmatic and resilient Hélène, adds immense depth to this treacherous world.
The show's brilliance lies in its refusal to offer easy answers. Every alliance is fragile, every smile could be a lie, and a single misplaced word means certain death. The suspense is unrelenting, masterfully crafted to make even the most mundane conversation feel like a ticking time bomb.
Forget simplistic war stories. Dark Hearts is a sophisticated, nerve-shredding thriller that asks a terrifying question: in the fight against monsters, do you risk becoming one yourself? This is prestige television at its finest, and an absolute must-watch for any fan of intelligent drama.
