A 6-part action thriller has taken Netflix by storm and currently holds the number 1 position among other new titles on the streaming service. The show’s sudden surge in popularity might seem a little too surprising, but there are a few good reasons why it has risen in the ranks so quickly to become a worldwide hit on Netflix.
Although Prime Video reigns supreme as the best streaming service for compelling action thrillers, Netflix, too, has been constantly improving its catalog with shows like The Night Agent, The Recruit, and Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole. The streaming service’s latest addition to the genre, Elite Force, is also driving some impressive numbers and has over 10 million views right now.
Given how Elite Force was not exactly marketed like other mainstream action thrillers on Netflix, its commercial success is even more surprising. While many factors usually contribute to a show’s virality, Elite Force manages to get a lot of things right about the action thriller genre, which explains its popularity on the streaming service.
Why Elite Force Is Hitting All The Right Targets With Audiences
Originally titled GIGN in France, Elite Force‘s primary appeal comes from its heavy emphasis on tactical realism. To ensure that its military action feels realistic, the show draws heavily from the real-life experiences of France’s elite GIGN counterterrorism unit. It features everything from realistic bomb diffusion sequences to hostage negotiations, which completely immerses viewers in its drama.
Elite Force also benefits a lot from its short runtime. The show only features six episodes in its first installment, with each having a runtime of 45 to 50 minutes. Unlike most modern shows on streaming, it refuses to bloat its runtime with fillers and overly stretched story beats that span across 10 episodes. This approach makes the show even more gripping as it keeps its story taut and to-the-point.
Instead of merely being driven by a simple cat-and-mouse narrative, the show also unfolds a dual narrative. It highlights how its main characters have to deal with both external and internal threats, which effectively raises the stakes of its drama.
Like Jack Reacher and Peter Sutherland (from The Night Agent), Elite Force‘s Captain David Caron also fits the flawed, stoic protagonist leading his team with quiet determination while struggling with the emotional burdens and moral complications. Tomer Sisley perfectly captures the character’s internal struggles while balancing his restrained vulnerability with the commanding presence expected of an elite tactical unit leader.
All in all, Netflix’s Elite Force is a well-rounded action thriller that delivers exactly what it promises. This explains why it is performing so well on the streaming service.
What The Future Looks Like For Elite Force
As of now, Netflix has not made any official announcements about Elite Force‘s return after season 1. However, since hardly a week has passed after the show’s premiere, it is still too soon to make any assumptions about its future. The show’s impressive performance could encourage Netflix to renew it for another season. Its positive critical reception could be another major driving factor that marks its return.
The Netflix show’s leading star, Tomer Sisley, reported that the show’s team is already working on its season 2. However, he also cautiously added that its return will depend on the audience’s reception. The actor also noted that the real GIGN would be willing to open the gates to the Satory barracks if they get the green flag for filming season 2.
Since the Satory barracks serve as the real-world headquarters of France’s elite GIGN unit, it is great news that the show will be filmed at the actual facility. Hopefully, Elite Force will continue performing well for the next few weeks, which will not only increase its chances of becoming one of Netflix‘s biggest international action hits, but also encourage the streaming service to renew it for many more seasons.
- founded
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January 16, 2007
- founders
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Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph
Netflix is a global streaming service offering on-demand access to movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. Founded in 1997 as a DVD rental service, it transitioned to streaming in 2007 and now operates in over 190 countries.