Apple TV+ is doubling down on prestige international programming, and one of its most anticipated upcoming additions is the French psychological thriller À l’ombre des forêts (“In the Shadow of the Forest”). Slated to premiere in 2025, the six-episode series reunites powerhouse talent from France’s top-tier film industry—most notably Benoît Magimel (Pacifiction, De son vivant) and Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds, Oxygen). The series is created and directed by Cédric Anger, a filmmaker acclaimed for his mastery of noir-tinged drama, such as Next Time I’ll Aim for the Heart.
With À l’ombre des forêts, Apple continues its push into French-language prestige television, joining previous originals like Liaison and Drops of God. But this time, the tone is darker, more claustrophobic, and intensely psychological.
What À l’ombre des forêts Is About
Set in the dense, misty woodlands of rural France, the story follows Franck (Magimel), a rugged but quiet man who joins old friends on a seemingly routine hunting trip. Things take a brutal turn when they’re ambushed by a mysterious second group of armed men. One of Franck’s friends is shot in the chaos, and the group retaliates, seriously injuring one of their attackers.
Instead of going to the authorities, the group flees the scene and vows to keep it quiet. But as the days pass, Franck becomes consumed by a creeping paranoia. Are they being hunted in return? Is someone watching them? Or is it all in his head?
The series delves deep into themes of guilt, justice, masculinity, and revenge. It plays with genre elements from survival thrillers and psychological horror, layered with moral ambiguity and tension that grows with every episode.
Key Production Details
- Director & Creator: Cédric Anger, known for grounded, slow-burn thrillers with emotional resonance
- Executive Producers: Isabelle Degeorges and Christophe Riandee (Gaumont), producers behind Lupin and Becoming Karl Lagerfeld
- Cast:
- Benoît Magimel – Cannes Best Actor winner, brings a gravitas few can match
- Mélanie Laurent – Acclaimed actor/director known for international and French hits
- Sarah Pachou – Rising talent joining the veteran ensemble
- Language: French with English subtitles
- Episode Count: 6
- Runtime: Approx. 52 minutes per episode
- Platform: Exclusive to Apple TV+
Festival Recognition & Apple’s Global Ambitions
À l’ombre des forêts made its pre-release debut at The American French Film Festival in Los Angeles, a sign of Apple’s confidence in the project as a cultural export. Its inclusion in the lineup signals more than just content diversity—it’s part of a broader strategy by Apple to rival other streamers in delivering global stories with cinematic quality.
This also marks a deeper investment in Gaumont partnerships. Gaumont, one of the oldest film studios in the world, has found a new creative resurgence thanks to streaming—Lupin being a breakout global success on Netflix. Now, Apple TV+ is positioning itself to benefit from this legacy of quality storytelling, beginning with À l’ombre des forêts.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just another crime thriller—it’s a character-driven meditation on how fear and guilt can fracture even lifelong friendships. With Magimel’s gravitas and Laurent’s emotional depth, the performances are expected to elevate the tension beyond surface-level drama. Anger’s minimalist but precise direction tends to amplify unease, favoring long takes and muted environments over flashy action.
The forest setting itself becomes a character—thick, silent, and always watching. It’s a symbol of both protection and isolation, a thematic echo chamber for a story about secrets, regret, and survival.
Looking Ahead
While Apple TV+ hasn’t revealed the exact release date yet, À l’ombre des forêts is expected to premiere sometime in 2025. It joins a growing roster of international dramas that aim to redefine what “TV thrillers” can be. With its strong cast, cinematic direction, and festival backing, this series could very well be one of Apple’s breakout foreign-language hits of the year.
Stay tuned for more updates as Apple TV+ finalizes its 2025 schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ will debut the French thriller “A l’ombre des forêts,” starring Benoit Magimel and Melanie Laurent, in 2025.
- The six-episode series tracks a man whose life unravels after a hunting trip incident with friends.
- Cédric Anger, a César Award-nominated director, helms this latest addition to Apple TV+’s international slate.
Overview of A L’Ombre des Forêts on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is stepping up its international game with “A l’ombre des forêts” (In the Shadow of the Forests), a French thriller that’s both tense and psychological—a hunting trip gone sideways, basically.
Storyline and Themes
So, here’s the gist: Franck (Benoît Magimel) is used to heading out on weekend hunting trips with his longtime pals. But during one of these outings, they run into another group of hunters who suddenly turn on them. In the chaos, Franck’s group injures someone from the other side—apparently in self-defense—and from there, things spiral out of control.
The series dives into the aftermath of this violent encounter. There’s paranoia, tough calls, and a lot of blurred lines about who’s really the hunter and who’s being hunted.
What starts out as a regular weekend tradition turns into a psychological nightmare, with Franck left to reckon with the fallout from what happened deep in the woods.
Cast and Creative Team
The cast is stacked: Benoît Magimel leads as Franck, and Mélanie Laurent joins in a major role—her reputation in thrillers and drama speaks for itself.
Behind the scenes, Cédric Anger is both creator and director. He’s got a César nomination under his belt and, while he’s made his name in French cinema, this is his first foray into series TV.
Isabelle Degeorges is producing, bringing her own experience to what’s shaping up to be a pretty intense drama. With this creative team, you can bet the show will have a sharp, sophisticated edge.
Production and Background
Produced by Gaumont for Apple TV+, “A l’ombre des forêts” adds to Apple’s growing international lineup. It sits alongside other French originals, like the recently announced “Carême.”
This production is yet another sign that Apple is serious about European content, especially French-language series that work for both local and global audiences.
Details about filming and release dates are still under wraps, but the show’s expected to drop on Apple TV+ in 2025. Filming in France should give the story’s wilderness setting an extra layer of authenticity.
The aim? To mix the psychological intensity of a character-driven drama with the visual punch of France’s forests.
Comparisons and Cultural Significance
“A l’Ombre des Forêts” is a pretty big deal for Apple TV+, adding to its growing French collection and bringing together some of the country’s top talent. It’s a fresh twist on the thriller genre, especially in the European streaming world.
Relation to Other Streaming Thrillers
This French thriller stands apart from other streaming series, mainly because of its focus on hunting and rural tension. Unlike Netflix’s “Lupin,” which is all about heists and clever revenge, “A l’Ombre des Forêts” digs into the darker, wilder corners of France—and the messiness of human conflict out in nature.
Apple has been building up its French-language collection, and this show’s forest setting brings a claustrophobic vibe that’s not really seen in the city-based thrillers on other platforms.
Plus, Apple’s four-year deal with the French government to support local productions means this series gets a level of creative freedom and authenticity that a lot of international shows just don’t have.
Critical Reception and Awards
It’s early days, but initial buzz has been positive, especially about the performances from Benoît Magimel and Mélanie Laurent. With Magimel’s César wins and Laurent’s international profile, expectations are naturally high.
The series follows Apple’s earlier French thriller “Liaison,” which got a mixed but mostly favorable reception for its suspense and production values. Some industry watchers think “A l’Ombre des Forêts” could be in the running for several French TV awards.
Critics are already noting director Cédric Anger’s César-nominated visual approach, especially how he uses the forest to crank up the tension and dig into the psychology of survival.
Links to Notable Works and Talent
The show’s cast and crew are a who’s who of French cinema. Mélanie Laurent is internationally recognized thanks to “Inglourious Basterds” and her own directing work, so her involvement really boosts Apple’s French output.
Benoît Magimel brings serious gravitas from his long career in French drama and thrillers—his César-winning performances set a high bar.
As for Cédric Anger, he’s known for tight, character-driven stories. Apple’s choice to work with him says a lot about their commitment to authentic French storytelling, rather than just slapping on an international template.
The premise—friends facing off against a dangerous hunting group—leans into classic thriller territory, but with a distinctly French take on rural life and old friendships gone awry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple TV+ has a pretty solid lineup of French shows and films for anyone who’s into international content. Here are some common questions—and answers—about French programming on the platform.
What are the latest French films available on Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ has been bulking up its French-language library lately. You’ll now find a handful of notable French films, like “Carême” and “La Maison,” among others.
The platform’s clearly aiming to draw in French-speaking viewers from all over.
How can I watch ‘À l’ombre des forêts’ on Apple TV+?
‘À l’ombre des forêts’ is a six-episode French thriller available on Apple TV+. To watch, just grab a subscription—everything runs through the Apple TV app.
You’ll see Benoît Magimel and Mélanie Laurent in the lead roles.
What new French series are featured on Apple TV+?
Recently, Apple TV+ rolled out ‘À l’ombre des forêts,’ a thriller from César-nominated Cédric Anger. The story follows Franck and his friends, who go on hunting trips until they run into another group of hunters—then things take a wild turn.
Apple’s French-language collection has grown a lot, especially in Europe.
How do shows like ‘La Maison’ compare to ‘À l’ombre des forêts’ on Apple TV+?
‘La Maison’ is more about family and the drama inside the home, while ‘À l’ombre des forêts’ digs into friendship and the dark side of group dynamics among hunters. Both shows have strong French casts and the high production values you’d expect from Apple TV+.
But ‘À l’ombre des forêts’ is definitely more of a thriller, especially with its story about hunters stumbling on another group in the woods.
What steps should I follow to watch ‘Carême’ on Apple TV+?
To watch ‘Carême’ on Apple TV+, just sign up for a subscription through the Apple TV app or website. Once you’re in, you can stream everything on the platform.
Just type ‘Carême’ into the search bar, hit play, and you’re good to go—on any device that supports the app.
Can you list the April 2025 new releases on Apple TV+ including French content?
So, looking ahead to April 2025, Apple TV+ has a handful of new releases lined up, and yep—there’s some French content in the mix. Expect new episodes for a few ongoing French-language series, and maybe even a couple of fresh films, though details are still a bit under wraps.
Honestly, the full lineup for April hasn’t dropped yet. Apple usually rolls out updates every week, mixing in premieres with returning shows, so you’ll want to keep an eye out as the month gets closer.
