Samuel review: With bite-size episodes, this animated series brings back the emotional chaos of childhood
Created by French animation director Émilie Tronche, the 21-episode series uses a minimalist visual and narrative style to explore the growing pains of a 10-year-old.
Short tales, presented with absolute mastery, can leave a deep impression. That’s what Émilie Tronche, writer and director of this animated series, Samuel, managed to achieve through this bittersweet coming-of-age story.
Tronche adopts a distinctive narrative style and minimalist black-and-white aesthetic. The animation is 2D with a simple, hand-drawn feel to it. The story of Samuel, the 10-year-old protagonist, unfolds over 21 episodes. Each of them is about four minutes long. Every episode is a page from Samuel’s journal where he talks about his school life, friends, crushes and concerns. With no-frills writing and animation, what captivates the audience is the pure emotions of a young boy, who is on the cusp of adolescence.
Samuel can’t always make sense of his classmates — his best friend Benjamin copies him; Dimitri is a teacher’s favourite; Julie is elusive, and Mabel is short-tempered. The 10-year-old oscillates between frustration over setbacks and joy over life’s tiny delights. He is thrilled when Julie shares her headphones while returning home in the school bus, and they listen to Dire Straits songs. Or, when she invites him to a pool party on her birthday and that makes him go grooving around his home.
These short episodes are like potent emotional reminders that bring back the memories of childhood joys, obsessions, need for validations, insecurities and others. In one episode, the series shifts the spotlight on Mebel, who is a lonely girl with few friends and an awkward sense of humour. One poignant episode shows Samuel trying to make Benjamin feel better when the latter is grieving his grandmother’s death. Instead of offering comforting words, Samuel dares Benjamin to run down a steep slope. Benjamin — who never says no to anything he is dared to do, including shaving off one half of his eyebrows — complies. Afterwards, he breaks into tears as if his grief has found some kind of outlet.
What makes Tronche’s storytelling so compelling is the naturalistic voiceover, without making any effort to amp up the drama. That lends authenticity to Samuel’s world as he pours his heart into the pages of a diary, which he received as a gift. However, what elevates the narrative is the seemingly simple artwork. Some of the scenes are just brilliant. For instance, when Samuel watches his mother dance on stage during a show, when he swims in the sea with a stranger boy and ends up having a heart-to-heart chat with him, or when Julie shares her confusion about going out with a boy.
The bite-size episodes make the series perfect for binge-watching. Even though the Indian audience may find it a bit strange that a 10-year-old boy talks about crushes and falling in love, many moments in the series are universal enough to resonate deeply, evoking nostalgia regarding emotions experienced during childhood.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
