Fauda Season 5's October 7 Episodes Spark Global Reaction
Fauda's fifth season, which recreates the October 7 massacre in episodes 7 and 8, has drawn strong reactions globally and entered Netflix's top 10 in 43 countries.
The fifth season of the Israeli action thriller Fauda has triggered widespread international reaction after devoting two episodes to the October 7, 2023 massacre. Episodes 7 and 8 focus specifically on the Hamas-led attack, and both have received a 9.3 rating on IMDb.
Within a day of its release on Netflix, the season entered the platform's ten most-watched shows in 43 countries and ranked seventh globally.
Viewers in Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, India, the UK and the US have discussed the episodes, with many describing the portrayal as disturbing. Others said the episodes offered a deeper understanding of the events of October 7.
Israeli social media influencer Lee Malach noted that her feed was filled with posts from Dutch and German users about the October 7 episodes, describing their reactions as shocked and supportive of Israel.
Brazilian cartoonist Luciano Pires wrote that the season was a "gut punch," saying episodes 7 and 8 make it hard to watch as fiction. He reflected on what filming may have meant for the Israeli cast and crew, noting that actor Idan Amedi was seriously injured while fighting in Gaza and production member Matan Meir died in the war. Pires also referenced actor Yaakov Zada-Daniel, who plays agent Eli, entering his home in a kibbutz attacked by Hamas terrorists.
In Italy, one viewer said they could barely keep their eyes open, while another recounted a friend suggesting the series might help people understand the atrocities committed by Hamas.
An influencer from India described sleepless nights after episode eight, saying it disturbed them deeply. Another Indian user argued the series was remarkably restrained, offering only a small glimpse into the atrocities of October 7, and said no film could truly recreate the horror of such a pogrom. A UK viewer said the episodes would stay with her forever, while a user from Texas asked followers for their thoughts, receiving responses describing the episodes as well made but heartbreaking and unforgettable.
Created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, Fauda sees Raz reprise his role as Doron Kavillio. Returning cast members include Itzik Cohen as Captain Ayub, Doron Ben-David as Steve and Yaakov Zada Daniel as Eli, with Melanie Laurent and Hakim Djaziri joining the cast.
Season 5 consists of 11 episodes and is set two years after the October 7 attacks. It follows Doron as he struggles with PTSD before becoming involved in an unsanctioned revenge mission by an old friend, drawing him into a deep-cover operation in Marseille, France. Following the October 7 attacks, the creators scrapped their original scripts and rewrote the season, placing greater emphasis on trauma, war and the continuing cycle of revenge.