Possessions

I'm watching this show on HBO Max. According to the message at the start of the show, viewers can choose between subtitles and dubbing. However, someone forgot to make the subtitle option available so the only way to watch is with dubbing. Normally that wouldn't be a problem--I've enjoyed several other shows in their dubbed versions, including Veneno, which is also on HBO Max. But the dubbing here is AWFUL. The voice acting is horrendously over the top, the voices do not match the actors at all (made all the more noticeable by the actors' real voices being used in Hebrew language portions), and the overall production value is terrible and does not blend into the existing soundtrack at all. For all the money HBO has you would expect them to do A LOT better than this. Also, if they're going to offer dubbing, why not dub the whole show? Right now the French portions are dubbed in English, but the Hebrew is not. So even if the dubbing was actually good, viewers who don't like subtitles would still be reading them for half of the show.

This looks like a good story and through the first episode it is. Then in the second episode, it's almost all in Hebrew! And the dubbing! OMG! Seriously! SERIOUSLY!!! Come on! They have clearly spent their entire budget on advertising at HBO Max. I would love to see some good content out of the Middle East and think it could be culturally significant. Can you guys please get it together!

I gave it 4 stars for the effort, and it does look to be well done, other than the whole dubbing situation!

I actually watched the whole thing. I won't add any spoilers. The first episode is the best and gets you hooked. The story is interesting, and each episode takes you in a different direction. I enjoyed seeing something modern from a different culture yet mixed with folklore. The characters are intriguing but unfortunately the acting is lost with the hideous audio issues. Had the dubbing/subtitles been even ok I think this would be an excellent series. Strangely only the French is dubbed in English and all other languages have no subtitles. I struggled at first until I turned the closed captioning on. Which unfortunately becomes distracting as the voiceovers are terrible. I wish it had either been dubbed better with all the languages or just had subtitles. The voiceovers are lackluster and as if it's just being read with no inflection. I'm sure the actors were probably much better in the real languages. This makes it a struggle to keep yourself immersed in the story. If you can get through these terrible mistakes the series is worth watching as it's only six episodes. I would love to see more content like this in the future but done well. HBOs series The Investigation is a great example. I wish this had been done as well as that.

If dubbing spoils your viewing then take a subtitled option. If something is any good you soon forget whether you've been reading and it comes naturally.

The negative first: I cannot argue with the other reviewers. The dubbing is absolutely awful. I don't mind subtitles at all and would have preferred if the whole thing was just subtitled. I watched the first 10 minutes wondering why only the French was dubbed in English (then read your reviews and turned on my subtitles, thanks). Also, voices do NOT match the characters at all. But... The positive: it's an intriguing storyline with great characters and a good hook. As bad as the dubbing is, it's not stopping me from watching. At the end of every episode there's an AH HA moment that makes me want to watch more. I'm 3 episodes in. I have a feeling I'll be finishing this weekend. You have to decide for yourself. If you are looking for an "easy watch" this isn't it. I like the cultural clashes, crazy mother, strange sisters, French hero and of course who doesn't love an amnesiac bloody bride?? give it a shot