Director Joachim Lafosse, known for his masterful 2012 drama Our Children, delivers another powerful domestic drama in A Silence. The Movie sheds light on the hidden family dynamics that often play out behind sensational headlines. Drawing inspiration from the real-life case of serial killer Marc Dutroux and the surprising connection to lawyer Victor Hissel, Lafosse changes names but remains faithful to the core events.
The story centres on Astrid Schaar (Emmanuelle Devos) and her lawyer husband François (Daniel Auteuil). As François handles a high-profile case reminiscent of Dutroux’s, the Movie unpacks family secrets that span their 30-year marriage, leading to an intense climax. The duo’s performances captivate, with Auteuil’s restrained portrayal complemented by Devos’s emotional rawness. The Movie gains further depth from newcomer Matthieu Galoux, who plays their teenage son facing a world of betrayal.
With intricate camera work capturing the haunting atmosphere of the Schaar’s expansive home and an evocative score, A Silence offers a chilling exploration of familial tensions against a backdrop of public scandal.