‘Misericordia’ Review – A Casually Chaotic Queer Dark Comedy

Logline: A tantalizing thriller unfolds against a pastoral country setting in the latest from French auteur Alain Guiraudie (Stranger by the Lake). Jérémie (Félix Kysyl) returns to his hometown for the funeral of his beloved former boss, the village baker, and decides to stay for a few days with the man’s widow, Martine (Catherine Frot). Before long a threatening former rival, a mysterious disappearance, and an omnipresent priest turn Jérémie’s short visit into a gathering of the unexpected.

Even the nicest people have a breaking point. No matter how quiet, kind, or seemingly meek you assume someone is, just know that if you push the wrong buttons or strike the right nerve, a delicate and non-threatening Caesar mushroom can actually be a death cap. The analogy will make sense when you watch the film. Not only do people have a limit to how much nonsense they can withstand, but you never know what someone is going through. You may not have to worry about being their thirteenth reason, but you could be their first victim. Be kind and stay alive.

“I think he’s completely crazy.”

No matter how careful you are or how sneaky you think you’re being, the secret will always eventually be revealed. Written and directed by Alain Guiraudie, Misericordia is a casually chaotic queer dark comedy. With a dash of mystery, a heap of suspense, and more subtle humor than you can handle, this fatal French subterfuge is the hidden gem you want to find. Championing genuinely hilarious and awkward moments along with an affinity for mushroom foraging, the film is loaded with subtext that gets increasingly more outrageous as the story progresses.

Veiled in suspicion and clouded by uncertainty, everyone in this idyllic town seems to be hiding something. There’s violence, manipulation, sexual tension, and more than a few lies. And just the narrative gets juicy and truths are uncovered, the most surprising one exposes itself in more ways than one. Our lead, Jérémie, has the most to hide, but with how his life has been going, also the most to gain. Furthermore, as we witness the mystery unfolding from his perspective, you’re plagued with one moral conundrum after another. The first instinct is to cut and run, but if Jérémie is for the messiness, then so are we. Come for the drama but stay for the absurdity.

“You’ll learn to love me.”

Wrapped and thriving in a Shakespearean essence, this eerily calm enigma is as much about identity as it is about deceit. In some ways, they’re intertwined. While some aspects of the film can be interpreted as battling the rejection of your truth, other parts can be seen as an outward projection of internal conflict. With an initial atmosphere and aesthetic that feels cold and aloof, by the end, you’ll feel its warm, firm embrace. You’ll be left both shocked and entertained. The talented performances drive the experience as the sophisticated yet approachable writing of Guiraudie breathes exuberance into its dry wit. There are some beautiful shots with a set and costume design that feature dark and muted colors, perfectly matching the tone. If you’re a fan of Alain Guiraudie‘s work, this is sure to delight. Its rewatchability is medium.

Pace & Pop

This film maintains a curious pace and tone for the entire runtime. Combining comedy, mystery, and thriller sensibilities, you never quite know what’s coming next. What popped for me was the diabolically reserved nature of Jérémie as casual chaos ensues.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot, Jean-Baptiste Durand, Jacques Develay

This ensemble cast is amazingly effective. Their subtle and layered performances are the lifeblood of the film. The dry delivery, the hungry stares, and the loud, panicked nonchalance are intriguing and hysterical. Between the unraveling psyche of Félix Kysyl’s Jérémie and the ever-lingering priest played by Jacques Develay, their performances awaken the film’s dangerously adventurous and addictive qualities. Let me not forget the deeply curious and somewhat suspicious performance of Catherine Frot.

Misericordia is now streaming on the Criterion Channel. Stay safe and keep an eye on the sneaky priest.

Rated: NR Runtime: 1h 43m Language: French Director: ALAIN GUIRAUDIE Writer: ALAIN GUIRAUDIE Artistic direction: LAURENT LUNETTA Cinematography: CLAIRE MATHON Production design: EMMANUELLE DUPLAY Costumes: KHADIJA ZEGGAÏ Hair and make-up: MICHEL VAUTIER Assistant Director: FRANÇOIS LABARTHE Sound: VASCO PEDROSO, JORDI RIBAS, JEANNE DELPLANCQ, BRANKO NESKO C.A.S Editing: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE HYM Original score: MARC VERDAGUER Producer: CHARLES GILLIBERT