Inspired by the beloved 20th-century French character Arsène Lupin, the Netflix series garnered great success globally since its debut in January 2021. Its third instalment was released on 3rd October, continuing Assane Diop’s thrilling journey.
Lupin was created by French writer Maurice Leblanc in 1905 through a series of short stories and quickly became the focal point of countless novels and novellas. It was even showcased in the works of other authors. Lupin is a quick-witted thief who operates outside the bounds of the law while assuming multiple disguises. His behaviour condemns socially corrupt and powerful individuals, and his duplicity is the catalyst for an engaging mystery, drawing in readers.
The same can be said for the TV show which has successfully enraptured viewers since 2021. Assane Diop, the main character who embodies Lupin, is played by one of France’s well-known actors, Omar Sy. The decision to cast a black actor to represent France’s James Bond “equivalent” provoked backlash when the series was released, however, the show itself combats this with its explicit and implicit commentary on France’s racial politics. Despite this criticism, Sy’s performance as Assane is compelling, his charisma as an actor allowing the nuances of the character’s personality and story to resonate with the audience.
Part one of Lupin focuses on Assane’s mission to avenge his father’s incarceration and death which was ruled as a suicide. Babakar Diop, Assane’s father, immigrated to France from Senegal with his teenage son. There, he worked as a chauffeur for Hubert Pellegrini, a wealthy businessman who framed him for stealing a diamond necklace once owned by Marie-Antoinette. Inspired by Lupin, Assane carries out his own heists against Pellegrini, placing him on the police’s radar and affecting his relationship with his ex-wife Claire and son Raoul. The fifth and final episode of part one ends on a cliffhanger with Raoul being kidnapped by one of Pellegrini’s men and Assane being recognised as the man behind the Lupin-imbued crimes by a detective.
The stakes are raised in part two. Assane and Claire anxiously work to locate their son, and they are assisted by Detective Youssef Guedira who they mistake as a mere bystander to Raoul’s kidnapping. In the next five episodes, Assane’s vulnerability as a father is tested while he continues to execute his cunning schemes. His revenge plot against Pellegrini continues and involves a love affair that challenges the strength of his loyalty and has the audience questioning his integrity as a righteous ‘gentleman thief’. Once Assane’s identity is compromised, the French authorities’ relentless pursuit forces him to go on the run in the final episode.
Part three begins with Assane hiding in Marseille with his dog, J’accuse. However, his actions have led the media to his ex-wife and son’s doorstep, so Assane returns to France in hopes of removing them from the limelight. Unlike parts one and two, these seven episodes are more intense and bloodier, as ghosts from Assane’s past resurface upon his return and his schemes test the boundaries between life and death. Having only focused on his father, the show finally delves into the story of Assane’s mother, exploring her absence. As a result of her return, the case of the Black Pearl emerges, provoking another chaotic cat-and-mouse chase with the police and multiple unexpected decisions from Assane, leaving viewers wide-eyed in disbelief. Without giving away too much, part three was layered with chaos, betrayal, and unexpected reunions!
With each instalment, Lupin’s remarkable production and storytelling continues. Flashbacks are an integral feature of the series, as they gradually reveal Assane’s backstory and parallel the present day. Equally significant are the incessant red herrings which keep the viewers from predicting Assane’s next move, rendering Lupin a thrilling and suspenseful experience. Doing this while exploring societal injustices like the exploitation of the working class and the marginalisation of black people is what makes the show so fascinating.
As of right now, there is no official confirmation of a fourth instalment of the series, but considering its widespread popularity, a future announcement is a possibility. If this happens, I am curious to see what creative directions they will pursue.
Edited by Sonja Stojiljković