The fourth season of “Lupin”, starring Omar Sy, has quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s global rankings, attracting international attention just one day after its release. However, while critics have praised the French crime thriller for maintaining its quality and delivering stronger action, some viewers have expressed disappointment with the latest chapter of Assane Diop’s story.
All eight episodes of the new season arrived on Netflix on October 23, marking the return of one of the platform’s most recognizable French-language series after a three-year wait since Part 3. By October 24, “Lupin” had reached No. 1 among Netflix’s most-watched series worldwide, according to FlixPatrol, a website that tracks streaming rankings across different countries.
The show’s immediate success highlights the continued international appeal of its central character, a master of disguise and deception inspired by the fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. Yet the enthusiastic response from professional reviewers has not been matched by every viewer, with early criticism focusing on the realism of certain scenes and the increased use of technology.
The series also reached the top position in several individual markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Brazil and Serbia. Its performance demonstrates how a French production can attract a substantial audience far beyond its home country, particularly when it combines an accessible storyline with suspense, mystery and elaborate criminal schemes.
In Croatia and Slovenia, meanwhile, Nobody Wants This held the No. 1 position, showing that audience preferences can vary considerably between markets even when a series is enjoying strong international momentum.
Three Years of Waiting End With Eight New Episodes
The release was especially significant for fans who had been waiting since the arrival of Part 3. Rather than releasing the new episodes gradually, Netflix made all eight available on October 23, allowing viewers to follow Assane’s latest adventure at their own pace.
The long gap between seasons also raised expectations. Viewers familiar with the earlier episodes have come to associate Lupin with elaborate heists, unexpected reversals and Assane’s ability to stay several steps ahead of his opponents.
Critics Praise Lupin Season 4, but Early Audience Reactions Are Mixed
Although the series has quickly reached the top of Netflix’s global rankings, the critical response has been more consistently positive than the early reactions from some viewers.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the fourth season initially recorded a 100% positive critics’ score. However, that figure was based on just five reviews at the time reported, meaning it should be treated as an early indication rather than a definitive assessment of the season’s reception.
According to ScreenRant, the first three parts of Lupin have averaged a 98% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the show’s established reputation among professional reviewers.
Reviewers Highlight the Action and Continued Quality
Collider awarded the fourth season 8 out of 10, praising its ability to maintain the standard established by previous installments while delivering even stronger action sequences.
But Why Tho also responded positively, giving the new season a rating of 9 out of 10 and arguing that the three-year wait had been worthwhile.
Nevertheless, the limited number of reviews means that the critical consensus could change as more publications publish their assessments.
Why Some Viewers Are Less Impressed
Audience reactions have been more divided, with some early comments on Rotten Tomatoes criticizing elements of the new season that they consider less convincing than those in earlier episodes.
Among the concerns raised are unrealistic scenes and what some viewers describe as an excessive reliance on technology. Other reactions suggest that the latest episodes lack some of the cleverness and ingenuity that made previous installments particularly entertaining.
These criticisms touch on an important part of the show’s appeal. Assane’s success traditionally depends on his ability to read people, manipulate situations and devise ingenious plans. When a plot relies too heavily on convenient technology or situations that appear implausible, some viewers may find it harder to believe in the character’s schemes.
However, the early audience response remains far from conclusive. Rotten Tomatoes had not yet published an official audience score because fewer than 50 users had submitted ratings at the time of reporting.
As a result, it is too early to determine whether the negative reactions represent a wider shift in audience opinion or simply reflect the initial impressions of a small group of viewers.
Assane Diop Returns With a Dangerous New Mystery
Beyond the debate surrounding its reception, the fourth season introduces another high-stakes challenge for Assane, the character played by Omar Sy.
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, the story picks up four years after the events of Part 3. Assane is now in prison, while museums are being targeted by criminals operating under the name Lupin.
The situation places the master thief in an especially difficult position. With crimes being committed in his name, Assane must escape and establish his innocence, setting the stage for another story involving deception, investigation and carefully planned moves.
The premise returns to one of the series’ central themes: the difference between a person’s public reputation and the truth behind it. Assane’s identity as a brilliant thief has made him both famous and vulnerable, allowing others to exploit the mythology surrounding him.
The museum robberies also create an opportunity for the show to return to elaborate heists, one of the defining features of the franchise. As in previous seasons, the central question is not simply whether Assane can escape danger, but whether he can anticipate the plans of those trying to outsmart him.
