The Returned is perfect for viewers who like a supernatural story and don't mind watching television with subtitles (or speak fluent French). If you're willing to take a step away from the typical network fodder, we promise you'll be rewarded by this fantastically atmospheric French drama. Although it technically began airing in France late November 2012, it was brought to Sundance earlier this year, so I'm willing to include it here. Essentially, this spooky show is about people in a sleepy mountain town who have inexplicably been brought back from the dead. They have no memory of their deaths, and simply return to the people and places that are familiar to them as if no time had passed. This is, understandably, quite a shock for the people they had left behind, having friends and loved ones suddenly appear after being dead for years or even decades. Comparisons could be made to the popular USA show The 4400, but with compelling storylines and eerie cinematography, The Returned quickly established a style all its own. After an overwhelming response both in France and abroad, the French network Canal+ has commissioned a second series of the show due to air sometime in 2014. Status: Renewed
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
