Netflix’s ‘Lupin’ Part 4 Pushes the Action and Thrills to New Heights | Review

Three years after its third season, Netflix‘s hit French mystery thriller Lupin returns this week with its highly anticipated fourth installment. Created by George Kay and François Uzan, the series stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a gentleman thief inspired by Maurice Leblanc‘s early 20th-century literary creation Arsène Lupin. A master of disguise and escape, Assane uses a mix of modern technology, sleight of hand, and his personal charm to commit spectacular heists, often in service of a greater moral good.

Lupin has been one of Netflix’s most successful non-English-language shows ever since it premiered in 2021, earning critical acclaim and building a sizable fanbase over the course of its three seasons. Its popularity surged again in 2025, about a month after filming wrapped on Part 4, when unidentified thieves broke into the Louvre and stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels — a crime that many felt mimicked the fictional Louvre heist in Lupin Part 1. The combination of its existing acclaim and the real-life events it seems to have inspired has made Lupin‘s new season one of Netflix’s most exciting releases of 2026.

What Is ‘Lupin’ About?

Lupin Parts 1 and 2, both released in 2021, explore Assane’s backstory and his theft of a priceless diamond necklace once owned by Marie Antoinette, now owned by the wealthy Pellegrini family. Assane came to France from Senegal at a young age, accompanied by his father, who worked for the Pellegrinis. His life takes an unexpected turn when his father is framed for the theft of the very same necklace and later dies in prison. Though the loss of his father leaves an indelible scar on the young Assane, he holds on to the lessons he was taught, as well as their shared love of literature, particularly the Arsène Lupin stories.

In the years after, he forms some strong friendships, particularly with his future fence, Benjamin Férel, and has torrid relationships with the Pellegrinis’ daughter, Juliette, and Claire Laurent, the future mother of his son, Raoul. In the present day, Assane seeks vengeance against the Pellegrinis for what happened to his father, using the heist to expose their darkest secrets, but he’s dogged at every step by the brilliant and relentless detectives Youssef Guédira (Soufiane Guerrab) and Sofia Belkacem (Shirine Boutella).

Two years after Part 2’s release, Lupin Part 3 follows Assane in a new story, with his vengeance now fulfilled but at the cost of his freedom. A wanted man, Assane lives in the shadows, but chooses to come back for one last heist that he hopes will help him, Claire, and Raoul escape to a new life abroad. However, Assane’s plans are dashed when he is contacted by a woman claiming to be his estranged mother, Mariama (Naky Sy Savané). By the end of Part 3, Assane realizes that he simply cannot be both Assane Diop and Arsène Lupin, and he brokers a deal with Guédira, voluntarily going to jail in an effort to finally end the Lupin story. Unfortunately, he runs into a familiar face while he’s in prison: his old enemy, Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre).

What Happens in ‘Lupin’ Part 4?

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Image via Netflix

Lupin Part 4 picks up four years after the events of Part 3’s finale, with Assane serving out his sentence at a maximum-security prison and has just days left before his release. Unfortunately, his plans to start a new life and reunite with his son (now older, jacked, and played by Théo Christine) are spoiled when a copycat frames Assane for two seemingly impossible heists. This much is already clear from Part 4’s trailer, and the first episode reveals little about Assane’s new nemesis, apart from the fact that it’s not Hubert Pellegrini or Pellegrini’s daughter Juliette (Clotilde Hesme).

With the Pellegrinis removed from suspicion, the future looks truly unpredictable for Assane. His new enemy is clearly resourceful and just as talented as he is, making this one of the biggest challenges our modern-day Lupin has faced in his career so far. While some of the previous seasons shifted the focus more to Assane’s personal relationships and moral struggles, Part 4 seems much more locked in on the mystery thriller aspect, at least in the first episode provided for review.

‘Lupin’ Part 4 Is a Return to the Show’s Action Roots

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Image: Courtesy of Netflix

Of course, it’s hard to evaluate the actual strength of the season’s mystery and the cat-and-mouse game that’s sure to follow from the one episode that Netflix has made available for review, but Lupin Part 4 does show promise. The narrative feels like a welcome return to Part 1’s action-driven storytelling, with thrilling stuntwork and elaborate heists that feel more like magic tricks. The episode also reveals some of the seeds of personal dramas that Part 4 will explore, specifically the new relationship between Assane’s ex Claire (Ludivine Sagnier) and his best friend Benjamin (Antoine Gouy).

The heart of the show has always been Omar Sy’s performance as the dashing Assane, and there’s no change in Lupin Part 4. Assane is still the effortlessly cool and utterly charming rogue he’s always been, and Sy’s work in the role is as solid as ever. That said, the performances are a relatively minor aspect of the show’s appeal when compared to its amazing production values, and that’s where Part 4 really shines.

‘Lupin’ Part 4 Pushes the Action to New Heights

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Image via Netflix

The twin heists that kick off Part 4’s main storyline are utterly thrilling. It’s clear the copycat is going to pull them off, and avid heist movie fans may even be able to predict how. But the sequence is still gripping, and Part 4’s promotional material promises more thrills to come. Fans of heist thrillers certainly won’t be disappointed by Lupin Part 4; however, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.

Let’s not forget, Lupin Part 3 came out just over three years ago. Unless you’ve recently rewatched all three previous seasons, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find yourself struggling to remember every character, event, and relationship dynamic that plays a part in the story, especially with cast changes and mystery enemies involved. This is a common problem that plagues shows with long gaps between seasons — the same occurred with Netflix’s The Gentlemen Season 2 — and it can be a frustrating experience for longtime fans.

Overall, Lupin Part 4’s narrative, production, and performances maintain the quality and tone of its predecessor, while the action looks even better so far. The show is definitely poised to repeat the phenomenal success of its previous seasons, which made it one of Netflix’s biggest non-English hits, and it certainly marks a welcome return for the debonair gentleman thief.

Lupin Part 4 premieres October 23 on Netflix.

Lupin Part 4 proves it was worth the three-year wait.

Guided and inspired by his love for Maurice Leblanc’s classic Arsène Lupin stories, a charismatic gentleman thief sets out for revenge against the wealthy family responsible for his father’s death.

• Part 4 pushes the action to new heights with elaborate, magic-like heists and exciting stunt work.
• The show introduces a compelling copycat villain and a strong focus on suspense and mystery.
• Omar Sy’s performance as Assane remains just as charismatic and engaging as ever.

• The show doesn’t bridge the gap between seasons very well, so viewers may struggle to remember important characters, relationships, and plot details.