Netflix just added a new French crime drama called Bandi, and people are talking about it. The show dropped on April 9, 2026, and comes from Éric Rochant, the creator of the famous spy series The Bureau.
The series is different from usual French shows. It takes place in Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean. The story follows 11 brothers and sisters who lose their mother and must find a way to stay together. Some of them turn to drug dealing to survive. The show has 8 episodes, and each one runs for about 50 minutes.
But is it worth your time? Some critics love it. Others say it has problems. This guide will help you decide.
The Story Behind Bandi: 11 Siblings Fighting to Stay Together
The series starts with the sudden death of Marilyn Lafleur, the mother of 11 children. She was the glue holding the family together. The kids are between 7 and 23 years old. Without her, they face a hard truth. They might get split up by social services or fall into poverty.
Two brothers take very different paths. Kylian Lafleur, also called Milord, is 16 years old. He secretly runs a drug business. Nobody in his family knows about his double life. He goes to school during the day and deals drugs at night. His dream is to build a drug empire and send money to France.
Kingsley Lafleur, known as King, is also 16. He makes reckless and poorly planned decisions. He tries to rob a local drug dealer’s money stash. This brings heat to the whole family.
The show explores whether these siblings can stay together when some choose a life of crime.
Who Made Bandi and Where Was It Filmed
Éric Rochant created the show with his daughter Capucine Rochant. This is Rochant’s first big project since The Bureau ended six years ago.
The production team made a big effort to keep things real. The show was 100% filmed on location in Martinique. No studio work at all. It took 114 days to shoot, with 107 days spent on the island.
Local talent was a priority. 75 out of 82 roles went to actors from Martinique. The crew also included many local technicians. About 60% of the 110 daily crew members came from Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Guyana.
The title Bandi comes from Creole language. It means “daredevil” or “reckless child.”
What Critics Are Saying About the Show
Reviews are all over the place. Some call it one of Netflix’s best French shows. Others say it fails to deliver.
Les Inrocks, a French culture magazine, gave strong praise. They wrote:
“Bandi is without doubt the best French series in Netflix’s history alongside Drôle.”
The magazine praised how the show takes its time. They liked the way it shows everyday life in Martinique. They also compared it to The Wire, the famous HBO crime drama from Baltimore.
But other critics disagree strongly.
What’s on Netflix pointed out several issues. They said acting feels wooden, especially in the first episode. The pacing is very slow. The drug trade plot feels worn out and predictable. They gave it a mixed verdict.
Midgard Times was even harsher. They gave the show 3 out of 10. Their review said the plot becomes repetitive. The slow pacing tests your patience. There is too much drama between siblings. The reviewer also said the show fails to balance family drama with crime thriller elements.
Kingofgeek said the show leaves an unfinished feeling. They wrote that Bandi seems stuck between two directions. It wants to be a social story about real life in Martinique. But it also wants to be a crime thriller. The mix does not work well.
The Cast: New Faces with Mixed Results
The show uses mostly unknown actors. This was a choice by Rochant. He wanted authenticity over star power.
Djody Grimeau plays Kylian (Milord). Critics say his performance reveals a complex character. He carries much of the show’s weight.
Rodney Dijon plays Kingsley (King). His character makes bad decisions that cause trouble for everyone.
Ambre Bozza plays Annabelle, the most emotional and sensible sibling.
The problem is inexperience. Many cast members are first-time actors. This shows in some scenes. Delivery can feel unnatural. The first episode has a birthday party scene that reviewers called hard to watch.
What’s on Netflix noted that the show gets better as it goes on. Once the main conflict between Kylian and Kingsley takes over, the actors improve.
What Bandi Gets Right
The show’s biggest strength is its setting. Martinique looks beautiful, but the series does not show tourist postcard views. It shows real neighborhoods, damaged houses, ports, and areas where people struggle daily.
EL PAÍS confirmed the show is available on Netflix in multiple countries.
The series also avoids glamorizing crime. It shows drug dealing as a bad choice made from desperation, not as something cool.
The music is another strong point. The soundtrack features local West Indies trap artists. This gives the show a unique feel.
The Problems That Hold Bandi Back
The pacing is too slow for many critics. Action scenes are few. The 60-minute episodes can feel long.
Character development is weak. With 11 siblings, it is hard to track everyone’s story. One reviewer compared it to Bridgerton, which gives each season to one sibling. Bandi tries to do everything at once.
The drug trade plot feels familiar. One review called it Drug Trade 101. The show does not bring new ideas to the crime genre.
Some scenes feel underdeveloped. The emotional family moments get pushed aside for crime scenes. Then the show returns to family drama only for tense fights.
Global Release Information
Bandi is now streaming on Netflix in 90 countries. The show comes with dubbing in 17 languages and subtitles in 32 languages. This makes it accessible to a worldwide audience.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the show is available now on Netflix with full subtitle and dubbing options.
The rating is TV-MA. This means it is for mature audiences only. The show contains violence, drug content, and strong language.
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Should You Watch or Skip Bandi
Watch Bandi if you:
- Like slow-burn family dramas
- Want to see a show filmed in Martinique with local actors
- Enjoy stories about siblings fighting to stay together
- Liked shows like Top Boy, Blood Coast, or Shameless
Skip Bandi if you:
- Need fast-paced action
- Get frustrated by inexperienced acting
- Have seen too many drug trade stories already
- Want polished, professional-level performances in every scene
The show tries to do something different. It puts a French Caribbean island at the center of a crime drama. That is rare for Netflix. But the execution has clear problems. The acting is uneven. The pacing is slow. The crime plot feels familiar.
Still, some viewers will connect with the family story. The love between the 11 siblings feels real, even when the acting does not.
Also Read: Bandi Season 2: Release Info, Streaming Details and More
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