7 / 10 (based on 292 reviews)
Three women whose lives turn upside down when Hanna’s son, Jacob, is involved in a serious car accident and claims that he remembers his earlier life as a pilot of a lost passenger plane.
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Main Cast: Aleksandar Jovanovic, Laurence Rupp, Brigitte Hobmeier, Julia Koschitz
Creators: Alex Eslam
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1 season, 8 episodes, 45-minute runtime
Shows Most Like Souls (2022)
The Devil’s Hour (2022)
7.7 / 10 (based on 18921 reviews)
A woman who wakes up every night at exactly 3.33AM, in the middle of the so-called devil’s hour between 3AM and 4AM.
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Main Cast: Phil Dunster, Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Meera Syal
Creators: Tom Moran
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1 season, 6 episodes, 60.0-minute runtime
Munich Games (2022)
6.5 / 10 (based on 605 reviews)
50 years after the Munich Massacre, Munich is hosting a soccer game between an Israeli and a German football club. When things start to fall apart, it seems history might be repeating all over again.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Main Cast: Shadi Mar’i, Juliane Köhler, Seyneb Saleh, Omer Perelman Striks
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1 season, 6 episodes, 48.0-minute runtime
Tschugger (2021)
8.3 / 10 (based on 862 reviews)
Tschugger, a dialect word for “policeman” in the Swiss canton of Wallis, tells the story of a local police precinct in the canton of Wallis. But instead of investigating missing sheep, an attempted murder keeps them on their toes.
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Main Cast: David Constantin, Anna-Lena Miano, Dragan Vujic, Anna Rossinelli
Creators: David Constantin, Mats Frey
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1 season, 5 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
Svörtu Sandar (2021)
6.6 / 10 (based on 574 reviews)
A troubled police officer is forced back to her hometown. Confronting her abusive mother is inescapable but the discovery of a body changes everything. She’s forced to search for a dangerous serial killer while stuck in a dark pit.
Genre: Crime, Drama
Main Cast: Aldís Amah Hamilton, Þór Tulinius, Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir, Kolbeinn Arnbjörnsson
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1 season, 8 episodes, 50.0-minute runtime
1899 (2022)
7.4 / 10 (based on 94477 reviews)
Multinational immigrants traveling from the old continent to the new encounter a nightmarish riddle aboard a second ship adrift on the open sea.
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Main Cast: Aneurin Barnard, Emily Beecham, Andreas Pietschmann, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen
Creators: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
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1 season, 8 episodes, 60.0-minute runtime
Nous voulons tous être sauvés (2022)
7.4 / 10 (based on 1288 reviews)
A young man spends a week in a psychiatric ward, where he meets five other patients and must contend with research-happy doctors and cynical nurses.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Main Cast:
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1 season, 7 episodes, 45.0-minute runtime
The Lazarus Project (2022)
7.1 / 10 (based on 4075 reviews)
Is a top secret organization dedicated to preventing mass extinction events and with the ability to make time go backwards.
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller
Main Cast: Paapa Essiedu, Caroline Quentin, Anjli Mohindra, Rudi Dharmalingam
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2 seasons, 9 episodes, 45.0-minute runtime
Mammals (2022)
5.8 / 10 (based on 3302 reviews)
The story of a Michelin-starred chef whose world implodes when he discovers shocking secrets about his pregnant wife.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Main Cast: Sally Hawkins, Colin Morgan, James Corden, Henry Lloyd-Hughes
Creators: James Richardson
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1 season, 6 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
Die Discounter (2021)
8 / 10 (based on 3120 reviews)
A group of young supermarket employees face the everyday challenges of the branch. Under the direction of branch manager Thorsten, the employees try to cope with all catastrophes and dramas, such as stealing employees, a mouse plague or dissatisfied customers, from store opening to closing time. It is not uncommon for employees to reach their limits.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Doris Kunstmann, Bruno Alexander, Marc Hosemann, Ludger Bökelmann
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1 season, 10 episodes, 17.0-minute runtime
In the world of television, where genres are constantly being blended, and boundaries pushed, the German series “Souls” (2022) stands out. This show, a unique concoction of mystery, drama, and the supernatural, offers viewers a narrative that’s both gripping and thought-provoking. Let’s explore what makes “Souls” a must-watch, without dipping into the usual TV review cliches.
The Premise
At its core, “Souls” revolves around a deeply intriguing premise: the aftermath of a plane crash and its impact on the lives of the survivors and the families of those who perished. However, this is no ordinary tale of survival or grief. The series introduces a complex layer to the storyline with the concept of reincarnation. Several characters in the show begin to experience memories and emotions that are not their own, suggesting that they might be the reincarnations of the passengers who died in the crash.
Cast and Characters
The strength of “Souls” lies not just in its storytelling but also in its well-crafted characters and the performances of the actors who bring them to life. The ensemble cast includes notable names such as Lavinia Wilson, who plays a neuroscientist struggling with her own experiences of inexplicable memories, and Julika Jenkins, whose portrayal of a mother grieving her son adds depth to the narrative. The show does an excellent job of weaving together the personal stories of its characters, making their journeys towards understanding themselves and the supernatural phenomena they’re experiencing both compelling and relatable.
Direction and Cinematography
Direction and cinematography play pivotal roles in setting the tone of any series, and “Souls” is no exception. The directors, Alex Eslam and Hanna Maria Heidrich, use a mix of haunting visuals and a subdued color palette to create an atmosphere that’s both eerie and beautiful. This visual style complements the show’s themes of mystery and the supernatural, drawing viewers deeper into the story. The cinematography, with its careful composition and use of light, adds layers to the narrative, making the unspoken as powerful as the spoken.
Themes and Messages
“Souls” tackles a range of themes, from the nature of grief and loss to the quest for identity and understanding. The concept of reincarnation, central to the storyline, is explored in a way that raises questions about the essence of human existence and the connections between past and present lives. The series doesn’t offer easy answers but instead invites viewers to ponder these questions alongside its characters.
One of the most compelling aspects of “Souls” is its exploration of the impact of tragedy on individuals and families. The plane crash serves as a catalyst for the characters’ journeys, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and desires. The show delves into the psychological effects of such an event, portraying the various ways in which people cope with loss and the search for meaning in the aftermath of a disaster.
Why It Stands Out
In a landscape crowded with series vying for attention, “Souls” distinguishes itself through its unique blend of genres and its willingness to tackle complex themes. The show’s approach to storytelling, characterized by its depth and nuance, sets it apart from more conventional series. The incorporation of supernatural elements into a narrative rooted in real human emotions and experiences creates a rich tapestry that’s both intriguing and emotionally resonant.
Comparisons and Influences
While “Souls” is unique in its execution, it’s interesting to note the influences and comparisons that can be drawn with other works. The series shares thematic similarities with shows like “The Leftovers,” which also explores the impact of inexplicable events on individuals and communities. However, “Souils” takes a different path by integrating the concept of reincarnation, giving it a distinctive twist.
The show also bears comparison to “Dark,” another German series that received international acclaim. Both series delve into complex narratives involving time and the interconnectedness of characters’ lives, though “Souls” focuses more on the emotional and psychological aspects rather than “Dark’s” emphasis on time travel and its consequences.
Reception and Impact
Since its release, “Souls” has garnered positive reviews from both critics and viewers. The series has been praised for its storytelling, character development, and production values. It has also sparked conversations about the themes it explores, particularly the concept of reincarnation and the nature of human connections across time.
The show’s impact can be seen in the way it has engaged audiences, prompting them to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences related to grief, identity, and the supernatural. “Souls” has contributed to a growing interest in genre-blending series that offer more than just entertainment, providing food for thought and opening up new avenues for storytelling.
Conclusion
“Souls” is a testament to the power of television to explore complex themes and emotions through engaging narratives and well-drawn characters. The series offers a unique viewing experience, blending mystery, drama, and the supernatural in a way that captivates and challenges its audience. Whether you’re drawn to its exploration of reincarnation, its psychological depth, or its atmospheric storytelling, “Souls” is a series that rewards viewers willing to delve into its intricacies.
In a world where it’s easy to fall back on familiar tropes and storytelling formulas, “Souils” stands out as a bold endeavor. It’s a series that doesn’t shy away from asking big questions, even if it doesn’t promise easy answers. For those looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally rich series, “Souls” is definitely worth the watch.