What is the plot?

The series opens with an elite French Special Forces unit, known as the Black Hearts, deployed in war-torn Iraq in 2016. The unit is tasked with a high-stakes extraction mission involving the daughter and grandchildren of a high-ranking Iraqi official who have been kidnapped by a terrorist group. The team, led by Captain Thomas Moreau, consists of experienced operatives including Sergeant Lina Belkacem, Corporal Antoine Dubois, and Lieutenant Julien Lefebvre. Their mission is to infiltrate hostile territory, locate the hostages, and extract them before the terrorists can carry out their threats.

The Black Hearts begin their operation by conducting surveillance on a suspected terrorist compound in the desert. They observe the movements of armed guards and identify possible entry points. After gathering intelligence, the team decides to split into two groups: one to create a diversion while the other infiltrates the compound. The diversion team, led by Antoine, sets off a controlled explosion at a nearby checkpoint, drawing the attention of the terrorists. Meanwhile, Thomas, Lina, and Julien sneak into the compound through a drainage tunnel.

Inside the compound, the team locates the hostages--Amina, the daughter, and her two young children. They find the hostages in a locked room, guarded by two terrorists. Thomas and Julien engage the guards in a close-quarters firefight, killing both. Lina quickly secures the hostages and begins to evacuate them through the tunnel. As they exit, the diversion team rejoins them, and the entire group moves toward their extraction point.

During the evacuation, the team is ambushed by a larger group of terrorists who have been alerted by the explosion. A fierce firefight ensues, with the Black Hearts using their superior training and tactics to hold off the attackers. Antoine is critically wounded during the exchange and is forced to take cover. Thomas orders Julien to stay behind and provide covering fire while the rest of the team, including the hostages, continue toward the extraction point.

Julien manages to hold off the terrorists long enough for the team to reach the extraction point, but he is captured by the enemy. Thomas is faced with a critical decision: whether to attempt a rescue mission for Julien or to prioritize the safety of the hostages and the rest of the team. After a tense debate, Thomas decides to proceed with the extraction, knowing that attempting a rescue would put everyone at greater risk.

The team successfully extracts the hostages and returns to their base. However, the loss of Julien weighs heavily on the unit. Back at headquarters, Thomas is debriefed by his superiors, who inform him that Julien has been taken to a secret location and is being held for ransom. The French government is under pressure to negotiate for his release, but the terrorists demand the release of a high-ranking jihadi in exchange.

Thomas and his team are ordered to capture the high-ranking jihadi, who is believed to be responsible for numerous attacks on French interests. The team conducts a series of raids and interrogations, eventually locating the jihadi in a heavily fortified compound. After a brutal assault, they capture the jihadi and bring him back to their base.

The French government agrees to the exchange, and Julien is released in a tense, high-stakes operation. However, during the exchange, the terrorists attempt to double-cross the French, leading to a violent confrontation. Thomas and his team manage to secure Julien and eliminate the threat, but the experience leaves deep psychological scars on the unit.

In the aftermath, the Black Hearts are celebrated as heroes, but the trauma of their experiences continues to affect them. Thomas struggles with the decisions he made during the mission, particularly the choice to leave Julien behind. Lina and Antoine also grapple with their own demons, and the unit is forced to confront the long-term consequences of their actions.

The series concludes with the Black Hearts preparing for their next mission, knowing that every operation could be their last. The final scene shows the team standing together, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead, but the weight of their past experiences is evident in their faces.

What is the ending?

Dark Hearts (2023) ends with the French special forces unit completing their extraction mission in war-torn Mosul, Iraq, but at a heavy cost. They succeed in rescuing the daughter and grandchildren of a prominent ISIS leader, securing a promise of vital intelligence in return. However, the victory is bittersweet, as several members of the unit are killed or gravely wounded in the process. The surviving soldiers return home, forever changed by the horrors they have witnessed and the choices they have made.


The final episodes of Dark Hearts unfold in the ruins of Mosul, Iraq, during the height of the 2016 battle against ISIS. The French special forces unit, led by Martin (Nicolas Duvauchelle), Adèle (Marie Dompnier), Rimbaud (Tewfik Jallab), Sabrina (Nina Meurisse), Paco (Jeremy Nadeau), Spit (Victor Pontecorvo), Olivier (Quentin Faure), and Colonel Roques (Thierry Godard), is tasked with extracting the daughter and grandchildren of a high-ranking ISIS commander. The mission is urgent: the commander has promised to provide crucial intelligence about terrorist operations in France if his family is safely removed from the city.

The unit infiltrates the war-ravaged city, moving through bombed-out buildings and narrow alleyways, constantly under threat from ISIS fighters. The tension is palpable as they locate the family, who are hiding in a crumbling apartment block. The extraction is fraught with danger; the unit is ambushed by ISIS militants, and a fierce firefight erupts. Paco is shot and killed while shielding the children from gunfire. Spit is critically wounded but manages to drag himself to safety with the help of Sabrina and Rimbaud.

As the unit fights its way to the extraction point, Martin is forced to make a series of brutal decisions. He orders a risky maneuver to draw enemy fire away from the civilians, resulting in the death of Olivier, who is caught in an explosion while covering the retreat. Adèle, Rimbaud, and Sabrina carry the wounded Spit and the rescued family through the streets, dodging sniper fire and collapsing buildings. Colonel Roques, coordinating from a command post outside the city, guides them through the chaos, his voice calm but strained.

The final scene takes place at the extraction site, a makeshift landing zone on the outskirts of Mosul. The surviving members of the unit--Martin, Adèle, Rimbaud, Sabrina, and the wounded Spit--board a helicopter with the rescued family. As the helicopter lifts off, the camera lingers on the faces of the soldiers, their expressions a mix of relief, grief, and exhaustion. The city burns in the distance, a stark reminder of the devastation they have left behind.

Back in France, the unit is debriefed. Colonel Roques informs them that the intelligence provided by the ISIS commander is being analyzed, but the cost of the mission weighs heavily on everyone. Martin, Adèle, and Rimbaud are seen walking through a quiet Parisian street, their camaraderie strained by the loss of their comrades. Sabrina visits Paco's family to deliver the news of his death, her face a mask of sorrow. Spit is hospitalized, his recovery uncertain.

The series ends with a montage of the surviving soldiers returning to their lives, each grappling with the trauma of war in their own way. Martin stares out at the Seine, his thoughts unreadable. Adèle sits alone in her apartment, clutching a photograph of the unit. Rimbaud visits Paco's grave, leaving a single flower. Sabrina watches the news, her eyes haunted by memories of the mission.

The fate of each main character is as follows: Paco is killed in action, Olivier dies in an explosion, and Spit is severely wounded but survives. Martin, Adèle, Rimbaud, and Sabrina return home, forever marked by the events in Mosul. Colonel Roques remains in command, overseeing the aftermath of the mission. The series closes with a sense of quiet reflection, underscoring the personal and collective toll of war on those who fight it.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The 2023 TV series Dark Hearts does not have any publicly documented post-credit or post-credit scene. Available sources, including detailed cast and production information and soundtrack releases, mention the end credits music composed by Éric Neveux but do not indicate the presence of a post-credit scene or stinger after the credits.

The series is a French military drama about a special forces unit confronting a terrorist group called the "Black Hearts," but no information from official or fan sources suggests an additional scene after the credits to extend or tease the story.

Therefore, based on current available information, Dark Hearts (2023) does not include a post-credit scene.

What is the background and motivation of the character Martin in Dark Hearts?

Martin, played by Nicolas Duvauchelle, is a key member of the French special forces commando unit. His background and personal motivations are explored through his role in the high-risk missions against Daesh and the 'Black Hearts' subgroup, revealing his commitment and the psychological toll of warfare on him and his comrades.

How does the French special forces unit handle the threat posed by the 'Black Hearts' subgroup?

The unit faces the 'Black Hearts', a subgroup of Daesh composed mainly of French nationals conducting terrorist operations in Iraq and France. The series details their tactical operations, intelligence gathering, and the moral complexities involved in confronting this internal enemy within the broader fight against ISIS.

What are the key challenges and turning points during the extraction mission in 2016 Iraq?

The extraction mission in war-torn Iraq is fraught with danger and uncertainty. The series highlights critical moments where the unit must make life-or-death decisions, deal with betrayals, and navigate the volatile environment of Mosul under Daesh control, emphasizing the tension and stakes of their operations.

What role does the character Adèle play within the commando unit and the storyline?

Adèle, portrayed by Marie Dompnier, is a significant character whose role within the commando unit involves both operational duties and emotional dynamics. Her interactions with other team members and her personal storylines add depth to the narrative, illustrating the human side of military service in conflict zones.

How are the personal lives and psychological states of the commando unit members depicted throughout the series?

Dark Hearts provides a gripping insight into the lives of the elite military unit members, showing how each mission could be their last. The series delves into their psychological struggles, camaraderie, and the impact of constant danger on their mental health and relationships, making the characters' internal conflicts as compelling as the external action.

Is this family friendly?

Dark Hearts (2023) is not considered family friendly. The series deals with intense and mature subject matter, including the trauma of a missing child, child trafficking, and kidnapping, which can be deeply upsetting for children and sensitive viewers. The show contains scenes of violence, emotional distress, and psychological tension that are central to its narrative. There are also depictions of grief, fear, and long-term family trauma that may be disturbing. Additionally, the series includes strong language and moments of intense, frightening situations that could be inappropriate or distressing for younger audiences or those sensitive to such themes. Parental guidance is strongly advised.