All the Light We Cannot See
All the Light We Cannot See
Now Showing

All the Light We Cannot See

7.4
Yr 2023
Status Ended
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

A blind French girl and a young German soldier's paths collide during WWII.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 35 /100

Critical reception for the Netflix adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See is largely negative. While many critics praised the series for its high production values, lush cinematography, and commitment to authentic casting for the character of Marie-Laure, the narrative was widely panned for being overly simplistic and melodramatic.

Reviewers frequently criticized the writing, describing it as a "trite" and "turgid" reduction of the original Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The series faced significant backlash for its handling of German soldier Werner, with many critics arguing that the show's focus on a "good Nazi" trope felt outdated and morally shallow. Ultimately, despite a visually striking aesthetic, most critics concluded that the series prioritized style over substance.

“The resulting series is at once morally simplistic—all characters are framed as either purely good or wholly evil.”

“Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has adapted the hit second world war novel with all the subtlety of ’Allo, ’Allo!”

“Netflix's miniseries adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See starts strong with beautiful images and performances, but quickly falls apart.”

“It’s one of those series that is just gorgeous to look at, with visual spectacles packed into every episode.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • UK • CA
Netflix Standard with Ads
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

This 2023 miniseries adapts an intricate novel into a visual landscape defined by the tension of the German occupation of France. The production centers on the intimate experiences behind a chaotic global conflict, focusing on how isolated lives navigate survival within crumbling surroundings.

Aria Mia Loberti anchors the drama, lending weight to the quiet desperation that permeates the narrative. By striping away the typical scale of war epics, the program prioritizes the specific, personal stakes of those caught in the crossfire. It remains a contained character study that replaces battlefield spectacle with a focus on human resilience.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 38
Regulars 13
Longest run 3 eps
Show 30 more
Production Board

Crew

Production Design
Supervising Art Director
Co-Executive Producer
First Assistant Director
Visual Effects Supervisor
Executive Producer
Second Assistant Director
Location Casting
Visual Effects Producer
First Assistant "B" Camera
Location Manager
Editor
Original Music Composer
Foley Artist
Special Effects Supervisor
Still Photographer
Set Decoration
Third Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Makeup Artist
Casting Associate
Signal Match

Similarity

Where All the Light We Cannot See overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on novel or book world war ii miniseries german occupation of france
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
November 02, 2023
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
317