‘Elite Force’ Review: Netflix’s French GIGN Thriller Delivers Emotional Depth

Netflix has been steadily crafting a niche for French genre television, and ‘Elite Force’ fits seamlessly into that collection with a premise that may seem familiar at first glance. The story revolves around a veteran commander of France’s elite tactical unit who is on the verge of retirement. However, an unexpected attack on his team pulls him back for one last mission, a setup that could easily rely on action and grim narration.

What intrigued me while watching the eight episodes was how little the show depends on that familiar formula. ‘Elite Force’ centers on David, a GIGN unit chief portrayed by Tomer Sisley, whose plans for retirement are shattered when an unknown enemy strikes at the core of his team. The stakes are heightened as one of the individuals David must protect is his godson Max, a young recruit just beginning his career in the same unit that has dominated David’s adult life.

This familial connection is where the show truly shines. I entered expecting a tactical procedural but discovered a narrative focused on inheritance and the burdens passed down from one generation of soldiers to the next, whether they desire it or not. Sisley embodies David with a calmness that never veers into brooding, making it refreshing to see an action lead who often resolves issues through listening in a briefing room as much as through physical action.

The tactical sequences are executed with remarkable discipline. There’s a focus on procedure, detailing how a team navigates a stairwell or defuses a device under pressure, which lends weight to the action scenes instead of mere noise. I never felt that the show was creating chaos for its own sake; when things go awry, it’s due to the characters’ decisions rather than plot contrivances.

However, ‘Elite Force’ stumbles somewhat in its exploration of characters surrounding David and Max. The broader ensemble, including colleagues and family members connected to the central mission, sometimes feels underdeveloped. A series so dedicated to procedural authenticity occasionally neglects to extend that same care to the characters just outside the spotlight, leading to some supporting arcs resolving too quickly for the emotional impact to resonate fully.

I also found the season’s antagonist less compelling than the narrative warrants. The mystery surrounding who is targeting David’s unit serves as sufficient momentum, but once the truth is revealed, it feels more functional than surprising, merely a plot device to facilitate the next action sequence rather than a meaningful confrontation with David’s past. The show excels when it takes its time, allowing characters to grapple with consequences, and a bit more patience applied to its villain could have intensified the latter half.

Nevertheless, there’s a confidence in ‘Elite Force’ that is hard to overlook. It understands the type of series it aims to be and rarely strays from that vision in pursuit of something flashier. The eight episodes progress swiftly without feeling hurried, and by the finale, I was more invested in whether David could finally leave this life behind than in the explosive device ticking away in the background.

Overall, this is a well-crafted, engaging piece of genre television that prioritizes character over spectacle more than many shows in this genre. It may not reinvent the tactical thriller, but it executes its version with enough skill and emotional clarity to distinguish itself from the crowd. I’m giving ‘Elite Force’ an 8 out of 10, a series that earns its intensity authentically rather than contriving it.

Have you watched ‘Elite Force’ yet, and does David’s final mission resonate with you as it did with me? Share your thoughts in the comments.