Vincent Must Die is not an early 2000s rom-com (that’s John Tucker Must Die), but a suspenseful drama premiering at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Starring Karim Leklou and Vimala Pons, we follow Vincent (Leklou) as he wakes up one day to the reality that strangers want to kill him. In what seems like a blink of an eye, Vincent must go from a normal every-day-working-man to someone having to look over his back. It’s a tense experience which ends in a most unexpected way.
Vincent Must Die does not take long to really get into the meat of the film. Within the first five minutes, we are introduced to Vincent and his new reality. The pacing of the film is one the greatest strengths that it offers; it does not drag, but doesn’t go too fast. It is very adept at building suspense, and it always leaves you unsure of where it is going to go. It is quite shocking to watch an average person go through what he goes through in the course of the film, and it is an experience that lingers in your mind long after the credits have finished rolling.
One of the most surprising aspects of the film is the realistic nature of the attacks. There are several moments where you might find yourself having to turn away from the screen in an act of self-preservation. It is not so much that the film is indulging in heightened, Hollywood gore, but rather a more intense experience due to the realistic nature of the attacks. Every confrontation is unprovoked, and cinematographer Manuel Dacosse showcases a very intimate filming style that conjures such a visceral reaction to every bloody encounter.
Leklou and Pons work well off each other, and the film surprises by finding time to deftly weave in a love story into this chaotic narrative that these characters find themselves in. While a lesser film might make this element feel shoehorned in to appease mainstream conventions, this story allows things to develop in a natural and believable way. There’s almost a sci-fi aspect to this movie, as it is never explained why people start randomly attacking Vincent. The central conflict is very engaging, but the point of this story is not really about providing an explanation. This nightmare forces Vincent to reflect on his life, and such rumination trickles down to the audience to consider, as well.
Vincent Must Die is an unexpected film which keeps your attention on the events happening before you. After the first or second attack, you are on edge – waiting for the next. The film and performers do a great job of conveying the panic Vincent is experiencing in every moment. Director Stéphan Castang has delivered a palpable drama in his feature debut which establishes him as someone who should be firmly on your radar in the coming years.
Vincent Must Die had its World Premiere in the International Critic’s Week section of Cannes Film Festival 2023.
Director: Stéphan Castang
Writer: Mathieu Naert
Rated: NR
Runtime: 108m
'Vincent Must Die' is an unexpected film which keeps your attention on the events happening before you.
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GVN Rating
A girl with too many fandoms to count.
