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Limited Series – The Serpent

Play trailer Poster for Limited Series – The Serpent Jan 2021 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In the 1970s, killer Charles Sobhraj preys on travelers exploring the South Asia's "hippie trail."
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The Serpent — Limited Series

The Serpent — Limited Series

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Critics Consensus

Tahar Rahim's unnerving performance brings reptilian menace to The Serpent, but this uneven slice of true crime is too byzantine in structure and too pat about its central villain's motivations to really get under the skin.

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Critics Reviews

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Saloni Gajjar AV Club 04/09/2021
B-
It's these narratives, as well as a couple of overdue high-octane cat-and-mouse chases in later episodes with Nadine at the center, that render meaning to a crime drama show like The Serpent, which otherwise plays out as more wooden than it should be. Go to Full Review Steve Greene IndieWire 04/09/2021
B+
The show takes advantage of the opportunity to reframe some of those key moments from a different character's viewpoint, something that would be odd or forced in a more straightforward telling. Go to Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times 04/03/2021
3/4
...a fascinating, exotic, lurid period-piece true-crime story about a suave, identity-switching serial killer who makes Tom Ripley seem like an amateur. Go to Full Review Álvaro Onieva Fotogramas 08/08/2023
Though the story The Serpent tells is very seductive, the non-linear structure works against it. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Q.V. Hough Vague Visages 02/18/2022
The Serpent fashions itself as a serial killer epic, but feels more like an uninspired Jacques Audiard knockoff that shows little interest in deconstructing the psychology of its subject. Go to Full Review James Delingpole The Spectator 07/19/2021
A bit like with The Queen's Gambit, all the period detail was so perfectly done, so redolent of a lost (and mostly, barring the odd serial killer, more glamorous and desirable) era that it almost didn't matter what the plot was doing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Matt L @Mattliptak Feb 12 A gripping and deeply disturbing series, The Serpent delivers a chilling true-crime story anchored by excellent performances across the board. The entire cast commits fully to the unsettling tone, bringing nuance and tension to a tragic real-life narrative about a calculating serial killer. The storytelling flows well overall, though the shifting timelines can be a bit tricky to follow at times. Still, the strong acting and steady pacing make it a compelling and worthwhile watch. See more Pralhad D @Pralhad Jan 26 Unnerving performance by lead actor. Absolute chilling. Must watch for lead pair. See more Steven P @Stevo69 Jan 7 They could have chosen an actress for the Marie-Andree caracter who can speak french without an english accent, it would have made it more realistic. Apart from that, the show isn’t to bad, but nothing more. See more M A Nov 24 I had very high expectations for this series and was looking forward to watching it. However, I get motion sickness from all of the timeline shifts back and forth that I can't even keep the story line straight. Unless you have a notebook sitting next to you to jot down all of the time frame shifts and what the heck is going on, it is hard to keep track if they are in the present or have transported us to 3, 4, 6, or 9 months before. They might move the timeline back 4 months for a few scenes then quickly move us to 9 months in the future...oy vey. I. Just. Can't. Keep. Track. See more B F Jun 24 Terrible acting is combined with a sloppy production overall. Back and forth timelines makes it a full painful view. Don't waste your time with the complete series mess. Completely disappointing! See more Kalin T Jun 20 Terrible acting. The real life story it’s based on is actually quite interesting - it’s a shame the producers didn’t do a better job reeling it. What a miss! See more Read all reviews
The Serpent — Limited Series

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Tahar Rahim

Charles Sobhraj

Jenna Coleman

Marie-Andrée Leclerc

Billy Howle

Herman Knippenberg

Ellie Bamber

Angela Knippenberg

Amesh Edireweera

Ajay Chowdhury

Tim McInnerny

Paul Siemons

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 1, 2021 Episode 1 In 1975, Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg investigates the disappearance of two backpackers who were last seen alive at the Bangkok apartment of gem dealer Charles Sobhraj. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 3, 2021 Episode 2 Marie-Andrée Leclerc leaves her life behind for the love of Charles Sobhraj but discovers the chilling cost; in spite of obstruction, Herman Knippenberg vows to investigate the murders of the Dutch couple at great risk to his career. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 10, 2021 Episode 3 Adventure brings young Frenchman Dominique Renelleau to Kanit House where he finds himself trapped in Charles Sobhraj's lair; as he listens to testimony, Herman Knippenberg realizes the scale of Charles's crimes. Details Episode 4 Aired Jan 1, 2021 Episode 4 Charles tightens his grip as Marie-Andrée plays along and Ajay Chowdhury takes a trip; Nadine Gires goes undercover. Details Episode 5 Aired Jan 1, 2021 Episode 5 Nadine must keep the poisonous crew in the nest on the brink of a big raid, but Charles has a backup plan. Details Episode 6 Aired Jan 1, 2021 Episode 6 Charles makes bold moves while a still-obsessed Herman tries to forget; Marie-Andrée and Ajay fight over their future -- by the mastermind's side. Details Episode 7 Aired Jan 1, 2021 Episode 7 Charles and Marie-Andrée arrive in Paris with glittering plans; meanwhile, Herman makes a dangerous gamble in his investigation which finally brings a breakthrough. Details Episode 8 Aired Jan 1, 2021 Episode 8 The net begins to close around Charles and Marie-Andrée in India, but the final chapter of Herman's pursuit of Charles stretches long into the future. Details

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The Serpent — Limited Series

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Season Info

Director
Tom Shankland
Screenwriter
Richard Warlow
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Jan 1, 2021
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