Greetings again from the darkness. It has been quite a while since the last film adaptation of Albert Camus’ 1942 novel “L’Etranger”, and filmmaker Francois Ozon (behind one of my favorites, SWIMMING POOL, 2003) went to Albert’s daughter Catherine to get approval for this project. Previous adaptations include THE STRANGER (1967, Italy) and FATE (2001, Turkey). Ozone and Phillippe Piazzo collaborated on this updated screenplay (including some variations from the source material).
Ozon opted to film in black and white, and after some flashbacks to ‘old’ Algiers, we jump to the 1930’s where we find Meursault (a terrific Benjamin Voisin) as what’s often described as an indifferent man. Taciturn and/or withdrawn would also be properly descriptive, yet he’s typically quite direct during his limited times of speaking. Meursault is mysterious because he’s handsome and doesn’t spill his emotional guts over everything that happens. That everything includes the notice that his mother has died.
While most of us would be deeply affected by the news, we are unsure about Meursault. He spends time in the Baths of Algiers with Marie (Rebecca Marder), along with drinks in the pub, a Fernandel film at the cinema, and an evening of intimacy. At his mother’s funeral, his stoic demeanor confuses the attendees, and soon enough he and Marie are facing questions of love and marriage. As usual, he remains emotionally detached, willing to go along.
Things change during a beach visit with friends, and Meursault finds himself imprisoned on murder charges. We witness the act and it feels quite surreal. The trial takes up a chunk of the film and among those speaking on his behalf are a couple of neighbors: an old man (Denis Levant) who states Meursault was kind to him and his mangy dog, and another (Pierre Lottin) who may have abused his own girlfriend. Meursault manages to spurn God and a Priest while in his cell, and he does question the meaning of life. Ozon’s use of black and white are reminders of the French New Wave of the 50’s and 60’s, and plays right into Camus’ existentialism. The character of Meursault and the story leave us much room for reflection, thought, and discussion … despite appearing fairly simple on the surface.
On DVD/Blu-Ray August 18, 2026, available on digital nationwide
Movie Reviews from the Dark 