How do you find your way through the deepest darkness? How do you hold onto your humanity in an inhumane world? These are the questions that lie at the heart of the 2023 Netflix limited series All the Light We Cannot See. Based off of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, the series follows a group of ordinary people struggling to hold onto a spark of humanity during the darkest days of World War II. The series is at once an epic tale of love, loss, courage, and redemption and an intimate exploration of the inner depths of the human heart that will satisfy readers and newcomers alike. As we continue through the dark days of winter cozy up with All the Light We Cannot See.
The story begins in 1944 Saint Malo France with young Marie-Laure Leblanc hiding in her uncle's house as she awaits the arrival of Allied troops. Blind since childhood, she is able to contribute to the French Resistance without drawing the suspicions of the occupying Nazis. Following in her uncle's footsteps she operates a radio broadcast through which she boosts local morale and transmits coded messages. Meanwhile, German orphan turned unwilling Wehrmacht radio operator Werner Pfennig arrives in the city with his regiment. Unbeknownst to Werner, it is Marie's illegal broadcast that he tunes into each night. When he is ordered to locate and execute whoever is responsible for the broadcast the two are set on a collision course that will put their loyalties, principals, and humanity to the ultimate test.
The series breathes fresh life into the war drama genre by dividing its focus between characters on both sides of the conflict. In this way, the series presents a more complex portrayal of the war than a simplistic battle of good versus evil. By relating one half of its story from the perspective of Marie, a blind teenager alone in occupied territory, the series offers a fresh take on the tired resistance trope and raises the dramatic stakes. Similarly, the focus upon reluctant soldier Werner lends a human face to real life events and highlights the plight of ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire of evil committed by their governments. The script blends war time drama with not one, but two, mysteries in a twisting tale that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats until its poignant finale. It may be a fight for love and glory, but All the Light We Cannot See is far from the same old story. For a classic war time drama with a twist tune in to All the Light We Cannot See.
The series transports viewers to the heart of war-torn Europe thanks to the stellar work of its cast. Lars Eidinger is a force of nature in his portrayal of sadistic Nazi officer Reinhold Von Rumpel's single-minded pursuit of Marie and the artifacts she is assigned to protect. Marion Bailey is a delight as Marie's feisty aunt, Madame Manec. Marc Ruffalo consistently balances quiet strength and whimsy, even as he struggles to balance a consistent accent. Hugh Laurie infuses Marie's traumatized uncle, Etienne, with a world-weariness, grit, and decency reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart's Rick Blaine. Even in the midst of apt supporting performances the series belongs to Aria Mia Loberti and Louis Hoffman as Marie and Werner. Hoffman imbues Werner with an intelligence, sincerity, and charm that ensure audiences will see the man behind his uniform. Loberti expertly blends innocence, maturity, and strength in a portrayal of Marie that is nothing short of a revelation. Together, the pair make for compelling drama and convincing chemistry.
An epic drama with a beating heart, All the Light We Cannot See is a series that reminds us of the spark that makes us human. The by turns heart pounding and heart felt script brings the beloved novel to vibrant life. The performances infuse each of the characters with depth, complexity, and humanity. Join Marie and Werner on a journey into the darkest depths of the human heart and find All the Light We Cannot See.
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