A cop beats a thief, takes him home, and his wife falls for him. French noir doesn't play nice.
Ned, a petty criminal, falls into the trap laid by Frank, a sadistic cop who, after having beaten him, takes him home. But Frank's wife Lily helps Ned escape and they fall in love.
Acting
Tchéky Karyo's Frank is terrifyingly plausible.
Direction
Boisset weaponizes claustrophobia in domestic spaces.
Cinematography
Grimy Paris that reeks of cigarettes and bad decisions.
Director
Yves Boisset
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lambert Wilson and Myriem Roussel had previously starred together in Bresson's 'The Devil, Probably'—quite the career pivot to this sweaty noir.
Released during France's reckoning with police violence; Boisset was known for politically charged thrillers that made audiences squirm.
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