Review of The Intruder: A Predictable and Poorly Lit French Thriller

The Intruder is a French four-part thriller airing on BBC Four, centered around Paula, a new mother and fashion house employee, who hires an au pair named Tess to help with her baby. The show follows familiar thriller clichés, including mysterious behavior by Tess, secretive phone calls, and escalating tensions in Paula’s marriage. Despite being intended as a suspenseful drama, the show’s heavy reliance on common tropes, such as the dangerous au pair and a brooding family environment, makes it feel uninspired. Additionally, the production suffers from extremely poor lighting, making scenes difficult to see and diminishing overall engagement. Characters often react predictably, with Paula being the only one suspicious of Tess’s intentions, while others dismiss warnings about her. The reviewer expresses frustration at the lack of originality and clarity, comparing it unfavorably even to similar recent thrillers. Overall, The Intruder fails to deliver compelling suspense, instead coming across as a clichéd, dimly lit, and frustrating watch.