Only The Animals (2019) movie is an innovative French crime mystery drama. It pleasantly surprised us with its complex and connected plot set in the Ivory Coast, Africa and France, Europe.
It is based on the novel Seules les bêtes by Colin Niel, which is the movie’s original title. This book is a captivating French language noir. In this tale, the five protagonists present their versions of a woman named Evelyne Ducat’s disappearance. The major portion of its electrifying story takes place in the isolated Massif Central area of France.
Spoilers Free Review: Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes/French) Movie
The introduction
This French-German co-production film explores the ramifications of colonialism on society. It delves into the modern-day themes of human love and loneliness. And how people’s lives are connected in a complex way. Even though, these people live many miles away on two continents – Europe and Africa.
So, what is the basic storyline?
This French film is a poignant story of our era, wherein almost all of us lead a double life – private life and public life. Its chaptered stories are about the interconnected lives of Alice (Laure Calamy), Joseph (Damien Bonnard), Marion (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) and Armand (Guy Roger N’Drin) in this film. Well, there are four chapters in this crime thriller film, but these chapters are connected. However, we believe that disclosing the plotlines of these complex, diverse, gripping and dramatic story ideas would be wrong on our part.
It is about the interconnected human lives
It is an engrossing, suspenseful tale about the interconnected lives of people living on two different continents – Europe and Africa. The primary tales are shot in the remote but scenic Massif Central and Southern parts of France, the coloniser nation. Meanwhile, an important part of the story in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast, is the colonial nation. The movie director Dominik Moll has done a fairly good job of bringing this complex tale to our screens. The young French actress Nadia Tereszkiewicz was a joy to watch onscreen. We were impressed by her captivating performance in the film. Besides, we liked the diverse ensemble cast in this mysterious transcontinental tale.
The conclusion
We liked its powerful storytelling backed by great acting by its cast. Besides, with crime acting as a perfect backdrop, it uses the layered stories of this film to add to the mystery. It is a good French film to watch.
Rating: Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes/French) Movie
| FM’s rating | 3.75/5 |
Poster: Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes/French) Movie
Key Details: Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes/French) Movie
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Original title | Seules les bêtes (means only the beasts) |
| Director | Dominik Moll |
| Writers | Colin Niel (novel), Dominik Moll, Gilles Marchand |
| Cast | Denis Ménochet, Laure Calamy, Damien Bonnard, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, etc. |
| Awards | Tokyo International Film Festival – 2019 Winner Best Actress Award – Nadia Tereszkiewicz 2019 Winner Audience Award – Dominik Moll Munich Film Festival – 2021 Winner ARRI/OSRAM Award – Best International Film – Dominik Moll |
Trailer & Synopsis: Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes/French) Movie
The glamorous and secretive Evelyne Ducat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) goes missing during a blizzard in the highlands of southern France. The lives of two depressed farmers, an unfaithful wife, a lovelorn waitress and an African con artist are brought together to devastating effect as the local police investigate the case.
Check out the YouTube link to the ONLY THE ANIMALS Trailer | Mongrel Media.
If you like French-language movies/series, then perhaps you can check out Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent), another French show.
Lastly, check out the novel Seules les bêtes by Colin Niel.
Featured & Other Images: Only The Animals | IMDb.
