Film review: ‘THE THREAD’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

French legal drama, The Thread, which is directed by and stars the revered Daniel Auteuil, is in many ways a familiar courtroom drama but Auteuil invests the story with a potent sense of intrigue and an affecting personal quality.

Based on actual events, the film sees Auteuil play Jean Monier, a lawyer in the throes of self-doubt and disillusionment with the system after he successfully defended a man who subsequently committed murder. Having switched to prosecution, he hesitantly agrees to defend one of his wife Annie’s (Sidse Babett Knudsen) clients, Nicolas Mlik (Grégory Gadebois), a father of five children, who has been accused of murdering his wife. With questionable health, a case founded on ambiguous evidence and an oddly uncooperative client, Monier questions whether he has made the right decision to return to the role of defender.

There’s nothing revelatory here in terms of this film’s take on the courtroom drama. The only noticeable difference from most Hollywood films we see in this genre is the inquisitorial format of the French court system.  As director, however, Auteuil has crafted a tense, atmospheric drama where the mood evokes Monier’s gnawing self-doubt.  Auteuil makes fine use of grainy cinematography and downbeat music to capture Monier’s world. This is to some extent a whodunnit and while slow in places, the film keeps us intrigued and questioning what really happened on the night the victim died.

As star, Auteuil is typically excellent giving Monier a keen intellect but also world weariness and vulnerability. The impact of years of courtroom battles seems etched in his face.  As the accused Milik, Grégory Gadebois effectively conveys a mix of doleful confusion and intimidating physicality, switching frequently from sympathetic to creepy.  Other cast members, though, such as Knudsen needed more fully developed roles and their characters just tend to pop in and out of the story.

Because of its low-key approach, The Thread at times, feels like the sort of crime drama we might see on SBS most nights of the week but as a character study and mood piece this a notch or two above familiar courtroom fare.

Nick’s rating: ***1/2

Genre: Drama/ Crime.

Classification: M.

Director(s): Daniel Auteil.

Release date: 28th Aug 2025.

Running time: 115 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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