Famille en flammes

This is a bit of a predictable series, made quickly with TV-style lighting rather than movie subtlety. But it's the cartoonish music in the background that drives me nuts. Why is it there? The 90's are long over; why the cheesy synth sounds. Cheapens the whole shoe.

I've enjoyed two Korean comedies recently, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "Mr Queen," both of which are wonderful shows, complete with excellent translation and tight scripts. Not so with "Burn the House Down." It's definitely not as finely-tuned as "Kingdom"

Still, I enjoyed it for what it is. But while I was watching it, I couldn't stop thinking about the Korean "The Housemaid" and how it ended with a house (and living room/staircase almost identical in both) burning down. Weird how close these shows are.

This show feels very soap opera with a hefty dose of melodrama and sentimentality. Is it cliché? Very much so. Is it filled with unimaginable plot holes? Definitely. Does it come with a plot twist out of nowhere? Check. Is it entertaining? Hell, yeah! I was really taken by surprised by the antagonist. Amazing actress! The leading actress was also very compelling. The rest of the cast is... mediocre and unintentionally hilarious at times! Anyway, if you love a revenge tale and just want something simple to relax at the end of the day give this a go! But be aware this may give you a 13 year old stress amnesia.

Japanese Drama " Mitaraike Enjou Suru " is a revenge family drama.

The story is pretty basic and, in theory, it is enjoyable, but it goes astray in the second half. Plus, things get out of hand and the result is so-so, kind of unsatisfying and anticlimactic, but okay overall.

The performances, on the other hand, were pretty enjoyable and everyone handled their characters masterfully. The characters, in addition, were interesting, especially the side characters that really did great and supported the main ones that often were too stereotypical melodrama characters.

So, overall, five out of ten.

"Burn the House Down" is a solid slow-burn thriller that combines mystery and family drama. While the pacing can drag at times, the story still manages to keep you engaged. Mei Nagano's performance as Anzu is a standout, bringing emotional depth and intensity to the role. The tension builds gradually, with a sense of unease lingering throughout, although the twists didn't hit as strongly as anticipated. The family dynamics and dark atmosphere enhance the experience, but the film doesn't quite deliver a mind-blowing payoff. Still, it's a decent watch for thriller fans who enjoy a more deliberate pace.

I typically enjoy these types of dramas. I liked the storyline, but it felt like the creators for this specific series, didn't quite know how to really make this genre. I felt it was mediocre compared to really good revenge dramas, like The Glory for example. Still watchable and I had no regrets for spending my time on it. It was worth the time and I enjoyed it. But lower your hopes and expectations. Will this be a favorite, no. Will this be a perfectly watchable good Netflix drama, yes. I felt like the actors were alright to good. But their expressions and reactions didn't really meet with what the scene demanded.