Le successeur

For the most part of the first half, there is a lingering background music building a discomforting crescendo seemingly leading to some revelation, adding an air of mystery to an otherwise mundane screenplay (but for the opening scene). My guess is this was a deliberate decision. The latter half goes off in an unexpected direction. Soon enough, my hopes of the movie being a psycho-cerebral journey into Barnès' mind are shattered as the plot simplifies. It's still gripping and creates tension, so I enjoyed it. You sympathize with Barnès in his weak moments - balancing trying to do the right thing and saving his reputation, but ending up making mistakes.

Le Successeur begins as a drama-filled film in which a fashion designer is told that his father has died. The film develops into a real drama, but due to a huge plot twist, this film suddenly becomes a combination of psychological thriller and even a touch of horror. There are clear references to typical American horror films in certain shots. The title of this film becomes more and more clear as the film progresses. It is precisely because of these unexpected twists and turns that this film brings something extra. Some decisions of the main character are not logic but overal a very good movie.

It is a very strange film.

I've gone into it blind (no synopsis, no trailer). The start of the film was promising: nice cinematography, superb music score, seemingly intriguing story. Unfortunately, after Ellias arrives at his estranged father's home it all goes south (it's almost like two different films from that point).

I can grasp and begin to understand the intentions of writers and of the main messages of the story, but it just... meh?

There is no tension in this film. The choice not to have any musical sound should have been accompanied with some sort of, I don't know, - colour, cinematographic choices, that would emphasize the tension. Throughout the film I just kept thinking "oh that just happened; oh, right, that happened as well; what is happening; why is it happening; can it all end now? No? Not yet? Not even now?"

As a woman, I could neither empathize with the main character nor pity him. The ending was just a bit sad about the father's friend, but OK for Ellias. I mean, he lost all his integrity as a human being, there was no other way to finish the film.

Perhaps, I am too biased, but I have seen better dramas, better thrillers, better psychological horror, better satirical films, better judgemental films, better home-made feeling films. In part, this one suffers from not knowing what genre it wants to be. That's what I believe.

I have to say that this year I have seen a lot of good movies and here is another one. I was curious of this movie and this movie was really a surprise, a high level drama/thriller. Very well played by the lead actor, who carried the film brilliantly. Good story with excitement and curiosity where the film will take us next. Really good build-up that makes you just want to keep watching. A surprisingly good film and really fantastic direction. The film deserves attention and I hope that those of you reading this will go see it in the cinema. Thumbs up for this movie. I'm so happy everytime that I see a good movie like this. What are you waiting for see it.

The Successor is a psychological thriller that pleasantly surprised me with its depth and tension. From the start, the music sets a great atmosphere, with electronic sounds and deep bass creating a unique audial experience. The blend of pleasant piano and violin throughout the film enhances the mood, and the strategic use of silence heightens the anxiety and tension. It's a masterful touch that really pulls you into the protagonist's growing unease.

Visually, the film is great. The cinematography is crystal clear, balancing standard techniques with some unique approaches that make the film stand out. The film per se is slow, demanding patience, but this slow-burn approach pays off as the tension builds steadily. The dialogue is natural, without any cliché lines, making the conversations feel real and necessary to the story.

The editing is another highlight, especially the small parallel editing sequence accompanied by silence - a fantastic move that added to the film's suspense. The transitions are smooth, and the film's pacing, while slow, is deliberate and effective. I even got goosebumps during some of the critical moments.

However, I do wish the film had put more effort into the color grading. A darker, grittier tone would have enhanced the overall mood and aligned better with the story's psychological depth.