“Squad 36” is a Netflix film starring Victor Belmondo, Tewfik Jallab, Yvan Attal and directed by Olivier Marchal.
Today marks the arrival of a French thriller that always pleases the audience while not leaving an excessive mark: a police story with a good plot, solid development, and characters with depth.
Directed by Olivier Marchal, “Squad 36” offers a raw and intense look into the world of Parisian law enforcement. Marchal, known for his gritty police thrillers like “Overdose” and “36th Precinct,” is no stranger to exploring the dark intricacies of police work. With “Squad 36,” he adapts Michel Tourscher’s novel “Flic Requiem” to the screen, creating a narrative that delves into the complexities and moral ambiguities of modern policing.
Plot
The story follows Antoine Cerda, a high-ranking police officer played by Victor Belmondo, grandson of the legendary Jean-Paul Belmondo. Cerda is transferred to the Anti-Crime Brigade after being sanctioned by the General Inspection. This transfer sets the stage for a tense and fascinating plot where Cerda turns his back on his former unit, led by the charismatic Sami Belkaïm (Tewfik Jallab).
The story takes an unexpected turn when two agents from Cerda’s old squad are murdered within 24 hours, and a third mysteriously disappears. Driven by a sense of duty and perhaps a touch of guilt, Cerda launches his investigation, uncovering a web of intense police rivalries and corruption that threatens to consume him.
The Actors
In addition to Belmondo and Jallab, the film features Yvan Attal, known for his roles in international productions and his voice-over work for Hollywood stars. Juliette Dol and Soufiane Guerrab, recognizable from Netflix’s “Lupin” series, complete the cast, with promising performances that will add depth and nuance to this complex story.
Marchal’s track record with Netflix bodes well for “Squad 36.” His previous collaborations, including “Rogue City” and the series “Blood Coast,” have had exceptional results, especially in European markets. “Rogue City” featured in the top 10 lists in 70 countries, while “Blood Coast” remained in the global top 10 for three weeks, accumulating an impressive 59.1 million hours viewed.
About the Film
“Squad 36” focuses on flawed heroes and moral ambiguity, offering a distinct vision from the classic police thriller, though it aligns with other recent successes in French thrillers.
Does it reinvent cinema or the thriller genre? Not at all, but “Squad 36” knows what story it needs to tell and clearly understands what works and what doesn’t. It excels at developing characters and maintaining a balance between light and darkness, focusing on the moral ambiguity of the characters and their psyche.
“Squad 36” is not a Hollywood-style action movie; it’s a much more elaborate story in terms of script. It doesn’t force spectacular action scenes or big CGI moments on us: here, the characters, their tragedies, and their stories matter.
“Squad 36” is a dark thriller about police work and moral ambiguity. It’s entertaining, solid, and well-constructed.
Very much in line with the latest successes of French thrillers.
Where to Watch “Squad 36”
