Weekend Pick or Pass: Fauda (2015) on Moviebox

A Weekend Dive into the Grey: Fauda's Unflinching Gaze

The weekend is a perfect opportunity to watch a show that will entertain you, but also take you on a journey and make you forget you are sitting on the couch. “Fauda” is one of these shows. “Fauda” set sail in 2015 and is an Israeli drama and action series that will entertain you and launch you into the very complicated Israeli/Palestinian situation from a retired Israeli agent’s point of view. The hunting of a ghost from the past keeps this retired Israeli agent sucked back into the game. This series is brilliant, but is heartbreakingly raw and will break you, but like many amazing series, will keep you wanting more. This series will keep you occupied over the weekend while you wait for another episode to come out and the show continues to live on.

From the opening seconds, “Fauda” stands out. With relentless pacing and a deep well of authenticity, “Fauda” draws a striking contrast to the typical American spy thrillers. The action scenes in “Fauda” are raw, and visceral, and a far cry from the glossy and CGI filled action sequences in Hollywood productions. Here, the manufactured tension in most movies is absent in favor of the genuine conflict in the real world, and the primal stakes that drive one of the best “high stakes” television series. “Fauda” has a tight 43 minute per episode runtime, and each episode stands on its own. The series truly is shot with a cannibalizing bite, because it is quite so addictive. The series boils authenticity at the surface level for each of the central characters, contrasting the Israeli undercover agents with the grieving families of the Palestinian militants. “Fauda” is an action centered show, however, what really appeals about the show is the prime focus on the human element. “Fauda” keeps its audiences thinking, and wondering about the ramifications surrounding the real life conflicts that reach the farthest corners of the globe, both politically and morally.

The Heartbeat of Conflict and Character

“Fauda” thrives on great character development. Lior Raz, who plays Doron, brings us an authentic performance of a man who is out for revenge but who is also actually a soldier with a family. The leads get a lot of praise, but the show is able to fully develop its supporting cast and give them their own character arcs too. The show has developed characters over the years with audiences seeing the characters develop, and the audience begins to understand the motivations of the characters, and the audience starts to empathize and appreciate the sacrifices these characters make. The show is set in an environment of war, and to capture the authenticity of the setting, the show switches between Arabic and Hebrew dialogues throughout the environment. Although it’s a small detail, it enhances the show's authenticity in its portrayal of multifaceted reality. Not many shows are able to develop their characters to the extent that “Fauda” does. Many showed criticism for the character development of males in the show, especially in season one, because some characters fell into action movie stereotypes, but after season one, the show began developing its character, and season two was praised for developing plot and characters more than season one. The women of the show are praised for their agency, as they deviate from being one dimensional, and having solely supporting roles. The ‘FAUDA’ franchise has continued to impress its audiences, who especially enjoy the franchise’s character portrayal and its complex storyline. The audience almost always shows great appreciation for FAUDA’s character development and its ability to show a side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict many media outlets forget exist.

TV-MA series such as “Fauda” can be difficult to watch with its intense scenes of violence. However, even still, “Fauda” is worth your time and most importantly provides substance to viewers who appreciate a deep narrative. While other viewers preferred to explain the bigger picture and less reliance on action to build the tension, “Fauda” thrives on its ability to provide high-octane action scenes and de-escalate the story to focus on the family.

For your Saturday night viewing, “Fauda” provides all the drama, and intensity you need and desires for the night. Just stock up on snacks, and dim the lights because once you begin to watch this series, it will absorb all your attention to the point that you will be completely immersed until the series has finished.