MONIQUE OLIVIER: ACCESSORY TO EVIL on Netflix is a French true-crime documentary (org. title: L’Affaire Fourniret). Monique was married to serial killer Michel Fourniret. Over 5 episodes, the spotlight is mostly on her. Read our full Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil docu-series review here!

MONIQUE OLIVIER: ACCESSORY TO EVIL is a new Netflix true-crime documentary series from France (org. title: L’Affaire Fourniret). Monique was married to one of the most infamous serial killers in France. He was known as the “Ogre of the Ardennes”.

However, everyone has focused a lot on what part she played in the crimes. That’s why we’re now getting a documentary series in five parts that focus mostly on how evil she is. And while they are both involved with the many despicable crimes, it is an interesting angle. To put it mildly.

Continue reading our Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil documentary series review below. Find it on Netflix from March 2, 2023.

Who is more evil?

This Netflix docu-series focuses on the true crimes of kidnapping, rape, and murder. Monique Olivier was married to the serial killer Michel Fourniret. A man dubbed the “Ogre of the Ardennes”, but this documentary focuses on the person who was an accomplice. Hence the title Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil.

Over 5 episodes, the spotlight is mostly on her. In fact, it seems that many (in the public as well as law enforcement) view her as being worse and more evil than the man who physically committed the actions of rape and murder.

One person (a psychiatrist working on the trial) goes so far as to say that Monique Olivier practically raped one girl because she performed fellatio on Michel Fourniret when he struggled to “get ready” to rape a girl. Another state that it was Monique who “gave him a license” to kill because he hadn’t – as far as we know – murdered before she came into his life.

Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil – Review | Netflix Documentary Series

Misogyny gone wild

For the record, I consider both Michel Fourniret and Monique Olivier to be guilty of plenty of crimes. And you can call them both evil and despicable and everything else.

However, I cannot accept the notion that she is somehow worse than him simply because she is a woman (and a mother) while he is a man (and a father), but also a rapist and a murderer. From 1987 to 2003, Michel Fourniret became one of the most infamous murderers in France. Surely that should also cement the fact that he is the worst of the two.

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In fact, the two meet when Michel Fourniret is already in prison serving a sentence for multiple sexual assaults. She has no prior convictions – except for a failed marriage. They meet when he is looking for penpals in a Christian magazine and Monique Olivier responds to his ad.

We also learn that he even keeps a sick journal of his victims. One where he comments on them and what he did to them. And his religion has somehow created a desire in him that revolves around the Virgin Mary. Specifically the virgin part. And yes, Monique agrees to help him with getting his hands on virgins (in letters they exchange while he’s still in prison).

There’s more to this story since it is actually part of a barter deal, where he never keeps up his end of the bargain.

Once the two get married – and he is released from prison – pure evil is unleashed in 1987. And continues until he is arrested in 2003.

Watch Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil on Netflix now!

The directors of Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil (org. title: L’Affaire Fourniret) are Christophe Astruc and Michelle Fines. In many ways, this is a classic French documentary production that has a high quality but also a very skewed perception of women.

Any woman who doesn’t match their expectations of what a woman should do or be is automatically evil. They are, per definition, judged by a completely different set of moral codes and obligations than a man in the same situation. I’m not saying the directors have this outlook, but the people they interview certainly do.

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One man goes so far as to say that he thought she looked like a witch when he first saw her. And then follows this statement with “… maybe that’s a bit excessive”. When you watch this Netflix docu-series (and you should!) you’ll notice that Monique is called “evil” very often, while this word is hardly ever used to describe Michel. The man who committed the rapes and murders.

It should come as no surprise that the people interviewed in this documentary – because they worked on this true crime case – are almost exclusively male. And the few women are almost worse in their judgment (as in the woman who was saying that it was practically Monique who raped a girl). Even the families of the victims blame her more since they believe she could have stopped him.

The bottom line for me is that while Monique Olivier is cold and cynical in brutal ways (and absolutely belongs in prison), nobody would have been raped or killed if it wasn’t for Michel Fourniret. On the other hand, however, Michel Fourniret had already committed so many crimes against women before he ever met Monique Fourniret.

And yet, a docu-series in five episodes is focusing on her role!

Plot

From 1987 to 2003, Michel Fourniret cemented his legacy as France’s most infamous murderer. But his wife was an enigma: Was she a pawn or a participant?

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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