Sami Outalbali
Reda
Overview
Sofiane, Victor and Luisa, three seemingly incompatible teenagers find themselves bound together by a supernatural force.
Seasons
- Status
- Canceled
- Seasons
- 2 seasons
- Episodes
- 12 episodes
- First aired
- Nov 21, 2019
Cast
5 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Banlieue as a Haunted House
I didn’t expect to care about Mortel. Not really. Teen supernatural dramas have a way of blending into each other—the same tropes, the same beats, the same soundtracks that try just a little too hard to make you feel something.
But there’s something about this French series that lingers, like the echo of a song you can’t quite place. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot, but it’s alive in a way that so many of its peers aren’t. Maybe it’s because it refuses to let its supernatural elements overshadow the very real, very messy lives of its characters.
Or maybe it’s because, for once, the banlieue isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the heart of the story.
Frédéric Garcia, the series’ creator, has said he wanted to marry the social realism of directors like Abdellatif Kechiche and Céline Sciamma with the supernatural genre of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That’s a tall order, and Mortel doesn’t always pull it off. But when it does, it’s electrifying.
The show follows Sofiane (Carl Malapa), Victor (Némo Schiffman), and Luisa (Manon Bresch), three teenagers from a Parisian suburb who find themselves bound together by a supernatural force after a violent encounter. The premise is familiar—kids with powers, a mystery to solve, a looming threat—but the execution is anything but. This isn’t a story about heroes saving the world.
It’s about kids trying to save themselves, and the ways in which the world keeps getting in the way.
The first thing that strikes you about Mortel is its energy. The handheld camera work, the rapid cuts, the way the scenes sometimes feel like they’re moving too fast—it’s disorienting, but in a way that mirrors the chaos of adolescence. The show doesn’t just tell you these kids are struggling; it shows you, in the way their bodies move, in the way they talk over each other, in the way they can’t quite look anyone in the eye.
There’s a moment in the first episode where Sofiane, a quiet, brooding kid with a reputation for violence, gets into a fight at school. The camera doesn’t cut away. It lingers on his face, on the way his breath hitches, on the way his fists clench and unclench like he’s not entirely in control of them.
It’s uncomfortable to watch, and that’s the point. This isn’t a show that lets you look away.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.3/10
"A gripping supernatural teen drama with strong performances but uneven pacing and a rushed finale."
Viewers appreciate the chemistry between the young cast and the intriguing premise of teenagers bound by supernatural forces, which adds a fresh twist to the crime-drama genre. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, some feel the story loses momentum in later episodes, and the resolution leaves too many questions unanswered, disappointing those who invested in the characters' journeys.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances The young cast, particularly Sami Outalbali and Manon Bresch, delivers compelling performances that anchor the series.
- Intriguing supernatural premise The blend of teen drama and supernatural elements creates a unique and engaging setup.
- Gritty visual style The series' dark and moody aesthetic enhances its crime-drama tone.
- Chemistry between leads The dynamic between the main characters feels authentic and adds depth to their relationships.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing The story drags in places, particularly in the middle episodes, testing viewers' patience.
- Rushed finale The ending feels abrupt and leaves several plot threads unresolved, frustrating some viewers.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting characters often lack depth, making their arcs feel shallow or unnecessary.
- Predictable tropes Some elements of the story rely too heavily on familiar teen-drama clichés.
Recommended for
Supernatural drama fans Teen crime thriller lovers French series enthusiasts Fans of strong ensemble casts Viewers who enjoy dark aesthetics
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Mortel: Cast Secrets, Awkward Scenes, and Social Media Drama
Netflix’s supernatural teen thriller Mortel (2019) hooked audiences with its mix of mystery, romance, and eerie supernatural twists. But behind the camera, the young cast brought their own brand of chaos, humor, and unfiltered honesty—revealing everything from on-set mishaps to Instagram DM scandals. Here’s what the stars of Mortel have spilled about filming the series.
The Scene That Nearly Broke the Cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpm1aOQzvA
Some moments on set were so tricky they became running jokes. In a behind-the-scenes clip, Manon Bresch (who plays Luisa) and Némo Schiffman (Victor) revealed the most difficult scene to shoot: a tense, emotionally charged confrontation that required multiple takes. Schiffman joked about the pressure, while Bresch admitted the scene’s intensity left them exhausted . The duo’s chemistry was undeniable, but even they struggled to nail the perfect take—proving that supernatural drama isn’t as easy as it looks.
Who’s the Biggest Flirt? The Cast Spills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mvFvkFORc4
If Mortel’s love triangles had fans shipping characters, the real-life cast dynamics were just as entertaining. In a candid Q&A, the actors ranked each other on everything from who’s the biggest flirt to who’s the funniest on set. Sami Outalbali (Sofiane) was crowned the "most dragueur" (flirt), while Carl Malapa (Ruben) earned laughs for his unfiltered humor . The cast’s playful banter extended beyond the screen, with Bresch and Schiffman teasing each other about their characters’ complicated relationships—mirroring the show’s own messy romances.
Off-screen, the cast’s social media antics added fuel to the fire. Outalbali and Bresch reportedly exchanged Instagram DMs that had fans speculating about real-life chemistry, though neither confirmed nor denied the rumors . Whether it was scripted or not, their on-screen tension translated into off-screen buzz.
Season 2 Hype: New Faces and Bigger Stakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVE5y1XOYkc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HugGbf4V92Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWamGo4BfCo
With Mortel’s second season, the stakes got higher—and so did the drama. Trailers teased new characters, including Ryan Cargill and Georgina Elizabeth Okon, who joined the cast alongside returning favorites like Malapa . The teaser clips promised more supernatural chaos, with Schiffman’s Victor and Outalbali’s Sofiane at the center of the storm. Fans were particularly excited to see how the new dynamics would play out, especially with the show’s signature blend of teen angst and paranormal intrigue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXR1pXFv8hc
One standout moment from the Season 2 promos was a car scene featuring Victor, Sofiane, and Luisa singing together—a rare moment of levity in the show’s otherwise dark tone . The clip went viral, with viewers praising the cast’s chemistry and Schiffman’s unexpected musical chops.
The Verdict: A Cast That’s as Messy as Its Characters
Mortel’s success wasn’t just about its supernatural plot—it was the cast’s unfiltered personalities that kept fans hooked. From awkward on-set moments to playful social media feuds, the actors brought the same energy to real life that they did to their roles. Whether it was Bresch and Schiffman’s behind-the-scenes struggles or Outalbali’s reputation as the ultimate flirt, the Mortel cast proved that sometimes, the real drama happens off-screen.
For now, the show remains a cult favorite, with fans still hoping for more seasons—or at least more behind-the-scenes chaos.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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