The uniquely absurdist approach, claustrophobic setting, and strong performances from Félix Kysyl and Jacques Develay make Misericordia a compelling, if not wholly original, addition to Alain Guiraudie’s filmography.
‘Misericordia’ Movie Review
Misericordia, the latest from Alain Guiraudie, is a darkly comic, twist-laden melodrama that revels in the absurd while playing with genre conventions in unexpected ways. Set in the small, eerily quiet fictional village of Saint-Martial, the film follows Jérémie (Félix Kysyl), a former bakery worker who arrives to pay respects to his late boss, only to overstay his welcome at the home of the widow Martine (Catherine Frot). His prolonged presence sparks suspicion from her son Vincent (Jean-Baptiste Durand), whose growing hostility ultimately sets off a chain of events that spiral into a bizarre, darkly funny crime thriller.
What begins as a seemingly straightforward drama takes a sharp turn when a confrontation between Jérémie and Vincent results in Vincent’s death. A panicked Jérémie scrambles to cover up his crime, but instead of fleeing, he lingers, weaving an increasingly tangled and convoluted web of deception. The small, near-empty village amplifies the tension, with the only other major figures being a priest (Jacques Develay), a close family friend (David Ayala), and detectives who soon take an interest in Vincent’s disappearance.
Guiraudie injects Misericordia with unexpected humor, particularly through the priest, who becomes complicit in the cover-up in exchange for Jérémie’s affections. The film leans into its situational comedy, wringing laughs from Jérémie’s desperate attempts to evade suspicion and the absurd lengths both he and the priest go to in order to protect themselves. There’s a sharp balance between suspense and satire, making the film consistently engaging despite its dark subject matter.
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Yet, while Misericordia is undeniably entertaining, it doesn’t quite reach greatness. The premise—a hapless man scrambling to cover up a murder—has been explored in sharper, more refined films, and though Guiraudie finds his own niche within the genre, the film’s impact doesn’t fully land. Still, its uniquely absurdist approach, claustrophobic setting, and strong performances make it a compelling, if not wholly original, addition to Guiraudie’s filmography. At a brisk 102 minutes, Misericordia keeps its audience engaged, offering a mix of tension, humor, and unsettling character dynamics that make for a solid, if slightly uneven, watch.
Rating: 6/10
Misericordia (2025)
- Cast: Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot, Jean-Baptiste Durand, Jacques Develay, David Ayala
- Director: Alain Guiraudie
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 102 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: March 21, 2025
- Movies Like Misericordia: Hard Truths, The Room Next Door, The Beast
