PARIS — Netflix has officially launched Flunked (originally titled Recalé), a new French comedy-thriller series created by François Uzan, best known for his work on the platform’s global hit Lupin.
The eight-episode series debuted on the streaming platform this week, quickly entering top viewing charts across several regions.
Directed and co-written by Uzan, Flunked centers on Eddy Santozzio, played by Swiss stand-up comedian Alexandre Kominek. Santozzio is a smooth-talking con artist with a secret talent for advanced mathematics. After being caught in a nightclub raid, he is given an ultimatum by Lucie, a seasoned police detective played by Laurence Arné: serve a prison sentence or assist law enforcement in a covert sting operation.
To fulfill his deal, Santozzio is forced to pose as a high school mathematics teacher for three weeks. His objective is to locate and identify the child of a high-profile arms dealer and drug kingpin believed to be enrolled in the class.
The series consists of short-format episodes, each running between 25 and 35 minutes. Along with Kominek and Arné, the ensemble cast features Leslie Medina as Tiphaine, an anxious school staff member who becomes entangled in the operation.
Early critical reception for the show has highlighted its pacing and performances. Writing for The Wall Street Journal, television critics praised the comic timing between Kominek and Medina, pointing to the series’ blend of school-setting farce and crime elements. Meanwhile, trade outlet Decider noted that the show leans into a more restrained comedic style compared to traditional American television sitcoms, relying heavily on classic undercover tropes.
All eight episodes of Flunked are currently available for streaming globally on Netflix.
