The Mantis (La Mante)

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

- Hi. - Hi, Superintendent Ferracci, 36th.

- Constable Norbert. I phoned. - Okay.

Body's inside, nothing's been touched.

Good, we'll take over now.

Gallieni, seal off the sawmill.

Szofia, Bertrand, come with me.

Let's seal it off.

The victim's Caucasian, on his back,

arms and legs bound with wire...

emasculated, and he's been decapitated

with a circular saw...

The head's to the right of the body...

and there are clear signs of injection in his neck,

as in both previous murders,

which confirms my fears.

These are the Praying Mantis's methods.

As she's still in prison,

I suggest this is a copycat crime.

When you arrested her 25 years ago,

how many victims had she already claimed?

Eight.

So if we don't catch this maniac very soon,

it'll turn into a grand slam.

Fine-toothed comb it all.

THE MANTIS

1 O'CLOCK NEWS REPORT

Hello and welcome, everyone.

The news this Tuesday: after 25 years, it's starting again,

there's been a third murder near Paris.

There are similarities to the well-known "Praying Mantis"

serial-killings of the '90s.

Serial-killer expert and prolific author on the subject

Stéphane Bourgoin is here with us.

Hello, Mr. Bourgoin.

So, who is the "Praying Mantis"?

It's the nickname given by the media

to Jeanne Deber, arrested 25 years ago

for having murdered eight men

extremely cruelly.

They were fathers, violent or incestuous

or who'd abandoned their families,

so, in her eyes, deserved to die.

For the Praying Mantis, killing

was, in a way, re-establishing

the natural order of things.

So is this a human being,

a woman, or... an animal?

You make an important point.

This is a woman, but she also committed

acts similar to the worst of the predators of the animal kingdom.

And now, the copycat has committed

a parallel crime.

So, to follow your logic,

should we now expect five further victims?

In criminology, there are no certainties,

but sadly, I fear so.

Have you actually met the Praying Mantis?

Up to now, in over 30 years

I've never met the Praying Mantis.

For everyone and despite everything, she remains

a mystery, and even at the time,

I well remember that no photo of her

was ever published.

Where is she now? Do we even know if she's alive?

She's still alive,

and the authorities say she's still in prison,

as she was sentenced to life

without the possibility of parole.

Superintendent Ferracci

The forensic scientist found nothing conclusive at the crime scene,

but I've identified the body.

The sawmill victim's name is Stéphane Fayon,

reported missing by his wife two days ago.

Have you told the family?

As it's so gruesome, I thought I'd go in person.

A good thought.

Superintendent,

we've had no boss since Cellier left.

I apply for the job.

See what I can do.

Superintendent!

- This arrived for you. - Thanks.

I can help you. Jeanne

PENITENTIARY

I've been here fifteen years, it's her first visit.

- Don't even know her crime. - What's she like?

Well-behaved,

'til she assaulted a screw last month.

Don't cross the yellow line.

Hello, Jeanne. Been a long time.

Hi, Dominique.

Sit down, you look tired.

Because of my copycat?

So, your letter said you could help me?

Where are you up to?

Can't tell you.

So you've got nothing, then.

What about you?

You know the killer?

Maybe...

What do you want?

I'll die in prison.

So I want to be out of here during the enquiry.

Under house arrest.

Sea view, room service?

Let's get real, Jeanne.

The commissioner won't have it.

I can get you improved conditions here.

You've nothing on this killer,

the media are fixated,

everyone's getting scared.

There's something else.

I'm listening.

I want just one representative...

my son.

She has a son?

Yes, not publicised at the time.

Could you expand on that?

Jeanne Deber is actually Jeanne Carrot.

She asked for the name-change after her arrest

to protect her son's identity.

We deliberated and decided

to agree in exchange for her confession.

Wasn't easy at the time,

but she was officially declared dead in a plane crash.

Who knew at the time?

In truth, very few people.

It was classified as top secret.

Even the trial judge didn't know.

Supposing I agreed to this...

do you know what Damien Carrot is doing now?

Yes.

All units. People are arriving.

Two black 4x4s.

Opening the truck.

Target's arriving, repeat, target's arriving.

Okay, they're putting the dope in the truck.

There are firearms, I repeat, firearms.

AKs.

Ready, they're on the move, closing the truck.

Getting in the truck.

Trucks moving.

Get ready to go in.

Go in!

Hands on head! Head forwards!

Police! Hands on heads!

Show your hands!

Show your hands! Now!

Get out! Get down!

On the ground!

Okay, okay, I'm not moving.

Stop... Son of a bitch.

What are you doing? Piss off!

Your turn! Come on!

Don't tell 'em anything.

Don't tell the bastards anything!

C'mon, let go! You're hurting me!

Shut your trap!

Go left.

Hold on...

OFFICERS ARE ANGRY

Go on, sit down.

Good, thank you.

Okay, get rid of this shit!

Why'd you blow my cover?

All that work down the pan!

I had no choice.

What do you mean?

Hello, Damien.

Your work's not wasted, we can get 'em.

Okay, you can go, thank you.

How are you?

And Lucie?

She's well?

I haven't seen her since your wedding.

Don't suppose you got me here to ask after her.

I shouldn't tell you this, but it's about crimes

strangely like your mother's.

The icing on the cake, I visited her in prison

yesterday, at her request.

She says she knows things, wants to help, collaborate...

on one condition,

collaborate with you, only you.

You dare suggest that to me?

Who else could?

How does she know I'm a cop?

Does she know more about me and my family?

What your mother knows,

it's like asking me whether Christ's tomb exists. Dunno.

For me,

my mother's 25 years dead,

I won't talk to her.

I don't know that I'll accept the deal.

Just think about it.

JEANNE DEBER CASE

I know how you feel,

three victims already.

Damien, I need you.

JEANNE DEBER CASE