“Public Enemy: Season Three” – Series Review

First of all, don’t even think of watching “Public Enemy: Season 3” if you haven’t seen the first two, since the same cult kidnapping case has been running throughout the two years covered in this Belgian procedural. You wouldn’t know who’s who or what’s what. For those who need a refresher, or want to try a shortcut for catch-up, the link to my previous review is HERE.

Season 3 picks up three months after the finale of the last one. Chloe has been removed from the case because her sister was discovered as one of the missing women. Brother Lucas is still managing Guy’s alleged rehabilitation after he’s become a full-fledged monk. But beneath the veneer of monkhood (monkiosity? monkitiude?), we can see the wheels spinning in Guy’s head, and follow his ongoing manipulations. That non-dietary Hannibal Lecterness seems ready to emerge, though none of the cast can see it as clearly as we do.

Due to a lucky fluke, Paul, the cult leader, is found and Chloe is back on the case. Her indispensable skills and knowledge of the case outweigh the concern that her sister makes it too close to the bone for her. Halfway through the six-episode season, the girls are rescued in an exciting sequence. The second half revolves around Guy’s sly, methodical return to his former deviant nature.

In most such dramas, the story ends happily with the rescue of the victims and the return to their families. But this onecontinues, addressing the effects of many years under the isolation and spell of a cult leader, as re-integration to their loving families isn’t simply presumed with a fade to the credits. The plot deals with the fact that the six girls have been together, removed from all outside influences, for so long that they aren’t the same people their parents and siblings last knew. The depth of that analysis is admirable for its psychological realism, if not as feelgood.

The other plotline is more disturbing as Guy’s intricate machinations surface, causing damage to the entire community. He dribbles out bits of help to the cops in finding the girls, but we can see that he’s withholding way more than he’s giving – always exacting some type of quid pro quo for what he discloses. The action and suspense build during the second half as the stakes become higher, and Guy’s plans start unfolding. There is closure on all issues, though it may not be as satisfying to all viewers as they’d prefer. That’s all I can give without spoilers for a worthy series.

“Public Enemy: Season 3”, mostly in French with subtitles, streams on MHz Choice beginning October 7, 2025.

RATING: 3 Out of 4 Stars