François Ozon’s (Frantz, 8 Women) luminous adaptation of Albert Camus’ landmark novel is a gripping account of human absurdity and murder in 1930s French-colonised Algeria.
Meursault (Benjamin Voisin), a quiet and unassuming employee in his early thirties, attends his mother’s funeral without shedding a tear. The next day, he begins a casual affair with Marie (Rebecca Marder), a work colleague, and quickly slips back into his usual routine.
However, his daily life is soon disrupted by his neighbour, Raymond Sintès (Pierre Lottin), who draws Meursault into his shady dealings.
Shot with a muted palette and featuring understated performances, Ozon superbly captures Meursault’s stillness, passivity and lack of compassion, making us witnesses to his sociopathy.
Director: François Ozon
Starring: Benjamin Voisin, Rebecca Marder, Pierre Lottin & Denis Lavant
Year: 2025
Language: In French and Arabic with English subtitles
Country: France
Running time: 2hrs 1min