The Forest (TV series)

The Forest (French: Zone Blanche, meaning "White Zone") is a French-Belgian crime drama television series created by Mathieu Missoffe and directed by Thierry Poiraud and Julien Despaux. It premiered in France on France 2 in 2017 and internationally on Netflix in 2018.

The series is set in the isolated, fictional town of Villefranche, located deep in a vast forest in the mountains. Villefranche is characterized by its high crime rate, low mobile phone reception, and frequent power outages. The town's police chief, Major Laurene Weiss, is haunted by a childhood trauma related to the forest and is tasked with investigating a series of unsettling and mysterious events.

The narrative primarily focuses on Major Weiss's investigations, which often involve disappearances, murders, and strange occurrences within the forest. The series explores themes of trauma, folklore, environmentalism, and the clash between modern society and the ancient power of nature. The forest itself becomes a character, playing a crucial role in the plot and shaping the lives of the town's inhabitants.

The Forest is known for its dark, atmospheric tone, complex characters, and intricate plot lines. It blends elements of crime procedural, thriller, and supernatural fiction, creating a unique and compelling viewing experience. The series has received positive reviews for its writing, acting, and cinematography, and has been praised for its exploration of complex themes.