Stéphan Castangs’ Vincent Must Die, after its debut at Cannes in early 2023, was screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 24th. The film is a French-language fantasy drama with a touch of nervous but bleak comedy. The title also manages to lean into a romantic aspect that is both welcome and fitting. Despite consistently looking like a viral outbreak film, the narrative focuses on Vincent. Vincent is randomly and violently targeted one day while working in his office.
In a graphic design office on a high floor of a tall building, he and a coworker talk about a dream involving people with antlers. They mention a new intern in a nearby room. Vincent speaks with the young worker asking his name. Seconds later Hugo begins to punch Vincent in the face. His cheek gets torn and as he hurriedly leaves the office the rest of the team handles restraining him from doing further damage.
Human Resources are notified to address the cause of this sudden outburst. Despite still having tissue on his bleeding face, Vincent expresses that he doesn’t want to take the matter any further. The manager attributes the incident to stress, and Vincent, feeling battered and bruised, goes home to his empty apartment. Sitting down, he browses dating apps. Then he takes a picture of his recent encounter giving it a title:
‘Life is Hard”
Quote from the movie Vincent Must Die
Rage Possession Films
“Vincent Must Die” serves as a poignant exploration of the complexities of violence and victim-blaming in society. It highlights the devastating effects of such behavior on the victims, perpetuating a cycle of pain and injustice. Through Vincent’s journey, the film challenges viewers to confront their biases and question the systems perpetuating victim-blaming. Played by Karim Leklou (A Prophet) and channeling a nice-guy everyman, his performance is perfection. Likable and memorable, if you aren’t feeling the urge to invite him home and feed him soup, there is something wrong with you.
The following day, Vincent returns to work and greets Yves with a smile. After another violent rage-filled episode, the office staff rally to subdue the attacker and Human Resources calls both men in to discuss the situation. They inquire about the tension between the two, but both individuals calmly deny any existing conflict.
Vincent Must Die Review
The lack of accountability placed on his attackers only reinforces the narrative that he is somehow responsible for the attacks. The injustice of it all weighs heavily on Vincent. It leaves him feeling trapped in a bleak and unjust reality. Meanwhile, life for the perpetrators seems to carry on without a hitch. Vincent’s attackers, unscathed by their actions, continue their work as if nothing ever happened. It’s only at this point that Leklou’s Vincent can finally express his anger at the cruelty of not being heard or believed.
As the days turn into weeks and the understanding of his affliction intensifies the narrative introduces a beautiful love story. He also discovers a hidden underbelly of people just like him as news reports continue to blast about increasing incidents of rage violence around the city. Vincent Must Die explores a fragment of the premise behind society’s penchant for ostracising the people who need the most help. It’s easier to surround yourself with those who appear stronger. With people who have the capability of never being the victim.
Vincent Must Die is a really sensitive and modern way to tackle a rather awful blight on the way victims are viewed. How they can then be turned into perpetrators and that being understood and heard achieves a lot. Or you can look at the title as a quirky tale of rage or “id” viruses on a smaller scale than the likes of films like “Mayhem.” Either way, I’d highly recommend seeking out this excellent debut feature film.
Vincent Must Die is rated
4.5 “I’m not a dog” out of 5
Vincent Must Die Streaming
This great title was released on streaming platforms like Amazon and iTunes in 2023 in France. For more streaming options, choose Justwatch.com and have the app notify you when Vincent Must Die is ready to watch.
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