Reflet dans un diamant mort, scheduled to release in France on July 2, 2025, is a groundbreaking addition to the French spy thriller genre. Directed by visionary duo Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, the film combines an avant-garde narrative style with hypnotic visuals and a psychological depth rarely seen in espionage cinema.
With influences drawn from 1960s Eurospy films, Italian fumetti neri comics, and the surrealism of optical art, this is not your typical spy movie. Instead, it is a visually rich, symbol-heavy narrative that examines aging, identity, and the ghostly nature of memory.
General Information
- Title: Reflet dans un diamant mort
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery
- Language: French, Italian, English
- Release Date (France): July 2, 2025
- Runtime: 87 minutes
- Directed by: Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani
- Written by: Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani
- Produced by: Kozak Films, Les Films Fauves, Dandy Projects, Tobina Film, Savage Film
- Distributed by: UFO Distribution
- Festival Premieres: Berlin International Film Festival (February 16, 2025), Luxembourg City Film Festival (March 7, 2025)
Storyline Overview
Set on the sun-soaked yet eerie French Riviera, the film follows John D., a 70-year-old retired spy portrayed by Fabio Testi. He lives a quiet life in a luxurious hotel, but everything changes when a neighboring guest suddenly vanishes without a trace. Determined to uncover the truth, John launches his own investigation and quickly suspects the involvement of Serpentik—a dangerous and elusive adversary from his past whose identity he never managed to uncover.
As John delves deeper into the mystery, the boundaries between reality and memory begin to blur. His past resurfaces in strange and disorienting ways, forcing him to confront long-buried secrets. Moreover, the investigation triggers a psychological unraveling that pulls both John and the audience into a web of uncertainty. Through a fractured, diamond-like narrative structure, the story constantly shifts perspectives and reveals hidden truths, challenging viewers to discern what is real and what is imagined.
Cast and Characters
- Fabio Testi as John D. (older) – A retired spy grappling with fading memories and a haunting past.
- Yannick Renier as John D. (younger) – Appears in flashbacks, revealing John’s days as an active agent.
- Koen De Bouw as Markus Strand – A key figure from John’s past or perhaps a distorted reflection of himself.
- Maria de Medeiros as The Author – A cryptic woman who guides the narrative, perhaps literally writing John’s fate.
- Thi Mai Nguyen as Serpentik – The seductive and mysterious antagonist whose presence drives the psychological tension.
- Céline Camara, Kézia Quental, Barbara Hellemans, and Sébastien Landry in supporting roles.
Aesthetic and Cinematic Style
The film offers a bold visual and auditory experiment. Inspired by Op Art, the filmmakers use patterns, illusions, and lighting effects. They create a kaleidoscopic sense of disorientation through shifting colors and optical tricks.
Instead of recording live sound, they add all audio in post-production—footsteps, whispers, and ambient noise are layered afterward. This deliberate method highlights the film’s artificiality and strengthens its surreal, dream-like tone. The editing style is elliptical. It jumps between timelines, memories, and fantasies. Scenes often repeat with subtle differences or mirrored details. This structure encourages viewers to interpret the story for themselves.
Themes and Symbolism
Reflet dans un diamant mort explores complex themes through rich symbolic layers:
- Aging and identity: John’s battle is not just with external enemies, but with the fading of his own memory and the erosion of his identity.
- Illusion vs. reality: The film continually plays with perception. Characters, events, and settings are often misleading, challenging the viewer’s assumptions.
- Femme fatale archetype: Serpentik embodies the danger and seduction that defines many classic spy thrillers, but here, she is also a psychological mirror.
- Nostalgia and decay: The once-glamorous world of espionage is shown as decayed, dreamlike, and fading—just like John’s mind.
Production Background
The filmmakers shot the film in Brussels and along the French Riviera, blending urban decay with luxurious coastal scenery. They secured support from screen.brussels and assembled a multinational production team from Belgium, France, Italy, and Luxembourg. Principal photography wrapped up in late 2023.
Moreover, the team made a deliberate choice in casting Fabio Testi, a 1970s Italian film icon. His presence recalls the golden era of pulp thrillers and enhances the film’s retro tone. In addition, his performance brings emotional weight and a haunting sense of melancholy to the role of John D.
Festival Appearances and Critical Reception
The film premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Bear. Critics quickly praised its daring approach to genre, bold visual experimentation, and powerful performances. Following Berlin, the film also screened at the Luxembourg City Film Festival. There, it earned further acclaim for its originality and gripping atmospheric tension.
Where and How to Watch
If you’re eager to watch Reflet dans un diamant mort and other top-tier French films online, look no further than:
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Conclusion
Reflet dans un diamant mort is more than just a film — it’s a cinematic experience designed to disorient, challenge, and engage. It’s a love letter to genre cinema and a philosophical exploration of the spy archetype in decline. For those craving something daringly original, this film is not to be missed.
To make sure you don’t miss its release and to explore a world of French entertainment, head over to https://frenchiptv.shop/ — your go-to destination for premium French IPTV content.
