'Heartbreaking' and 'uplifting' Netflix WW2 drama leaves viewers captivated

04 October 2023 , 13:22

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Netflix's highly-anticipated big-budget adaptation of award-winning novel All The Light We Cannot See is shaping up to be something very special indeed.

After selling more than 15 million copies worldwide, Anthony Doerr's tale of a blind girl trying to reunite with her father while forging an unlikely friendship with a young Nazi recruit, has been brought to the screen by Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy.

All The Light We Cannot See features a talented cast, including veteran Hollywood actors Hugh Laurie and Mark Ruffalo, as well as newcomer Aria Mia Loberti.

The limited series follows the story of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl and her father, Daniel LeBlanc, who flee German-occupied Paris with a legendary diamond to keep it from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Relentlessly pursued by a cruel Gestapo officer who seeks to possess the stone for his own selfish means, Marie-Laure and Daniel soon find refuge in St. Malo, where they take up residence with a reclusive uncle who transmits clandestine radio broadcasts as part of the resistance.

Yet here in this once-idyllic seaside city, Marie-Laure’s path also collides inexorably with the unlikeliest of kindred spirits: Werner, a brilliant teenager enlisted by Hitler’s regime to track down illegal broadcasts, who instead shares a secret connection to Marie-Laure as well as her faith in humanity and the possibility of hope.

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The four-parter explores the power of human connection as a 'beacon of light in the darkness', and is directed by Shawn Levy and written by Steven Knight.

High praise already

A recent virtual screening of the series caused @RamasScreen to say "All The Light We Cannot See is remarkable! Heartbreaking and uplifting. At times scary and visually harrowing, but also life-affirming. Shawn Levy did an astounding job with this deeply-moving story. And Aria Mia Loberti is a revelation."

While another, reports Tudum, tweeted: “[Director] Shawn Levy brings us a cinematic experience and I wish everyone could see this on the big screen. It is majestic."

And if the positive reaction to a new trailer released this week is anything to go by (see above), it seems many viewers will be equally as impressed, with YouTubers falling over themselves to sing its praises.

@jmcg2246: "As an avid fan of the book, I can already tell from this trailer alone that it feels different ... but I'm still very excited for this."

@ownjenkinsofficial: "I love that Netflix is making movies as often as they make shows, and at that, this looks stellar. Excited!"

@vfxstar7019: "Finally a different kind of story - this looks amazing."

@maddie7069: "I get to see three of my favorite actors on screen together? Sign me up! I’m so excited, looks like a beautifully done movie!"

@mrx1333: "This looks really great! Great cinematography, location, settings, and visual effects, everything!"

All the Light We Cannot See will premiere on Netflix on November 2, 2023.