Only The Animals is an innovative French mystery. 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.
Trailer of Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes) Movie
Synopsis of the Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes) 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.
Spoilers Free Review of the Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes) 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 in two different continents – Europe and Africa. The primary tales are shot in the remote but scenic Massif Central and Southern parts of France, the colonizer nation. Meanwhile, an important part of the story in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the colonial nation.
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.
Ratings of the Only The Animals (Seules les bêtes) Movie
| FM’s rating | 3.75/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 93% Tomatometer & 76% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus / Rotten Tomatoes | Deft direction and an expertly assembled ensemble further elevate this film’s intelligent, absorbing mystery. |
Poster of the the Seules les bêtes (French) Movie
Key details about the 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 |
If you like French language movies/series, then perhaps, you can check out the Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent), another French show.
Link to the novel Seules les bêtes by Colin Niel | Goodreads.
Featured & Other Images: Only The Animals | IMDb.
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