Bastion 36, also known as Squad 36, premiered on Netflix on 28 February 2025. At first glance it promises an intense French police thriller. Olivier Marchal, already known for 36, returns to his familiar territory: a harsh, dark story about loyalty, betrayal and moral grey areas within the police.
Investigating alone
Antoine Cerda is an experienced officer who is transferred to another department after an operation goes wrong. When two former colleagues are murdered and another disappears, he cannot stand aside. Defying his superiors, he investigates on his own and uncovers corruption, violence and internal power struggles. The truth proves more dangerous than he expected.
An uneven ensemble
Yvan Attal gives an impressive performance, although the screenplay does not always provide him with the best dialogue. Tewfik Jallab also brings nuance and an emotional depth that many other characters lack. Victor Belmondo, the grandson of Jean-Paul Belmondo, is solid but ultimately too indistinct to make a lasting impression.
Dark images and hard action
The direction delivers what an Olivier Marchal film leads you to expect: dark images, atmospheric lighting and a world shaped by violence and cynicism. The action is gripping and convincingly staged, particularly a brutal warehouse shoot-out. Too often, however, exaggerated macho behaviour feels dated and leaves little emotional depth. That might matter less if the story offered enough surprises. Instead, it follows a predictable pattern that leaves little room for real tension.
Predictable grey areas
The screenplay is the biggest problem. Its premise is interesting, but it repeatedly falls back on clichés. The hard, direct dialogue sometimes sounds unintentionally flat. There are too few turning points to lift the film beyond that familiar pattern; after the first twenty minutes, events largely unfold as expected. The moral questions are interesting but insufficiently explored to stay with you.
Verdict
Despite these weaknesses, Squad 36 is a solid police thriller that could appeal to genre fans. Anyone who likes hard action and a rough tone will find some entertainment. Those hoping for a deeper story or carefully developed characters are more likely to be disappointed.