Safe Return Doubtful

France 2023

Seen through a wider lens, this is a clever satire; a satire on paranoia, of how society treds in the wake of the recent virus, on the deterioration of amicable relations between people. It is also a twist on paranoia itself, in that not only does Vincent think everyone is out to get him, but they actually are.

It can be enjoyed on both levels though, rather than as a social fantasy, simply as a violent thriller.

Vincent works in an office city job, is in his mid-30s and just coming out of a relationship. Inexplicably, an intern at this work attacks him with a laptop. Not seriously injured, he passes it off as a freak occurrence, perhaps the intern was under the influence of drugs, but several days later another, closer colleague comes at him with a pen, and causes serious damage to his hand, and has to be physically restrained from causing him more damage.

Before long, Vincent realises that for some reason, everyone he meets, once they have eye contact, is intent on killing him.

There are faults with this film, but overall it is very entertaining. As with many films based on a fascinating premise, the ending can’t live up to what has gone before.

The cinematic skills and direction give the impression of a zombie apocalypse film, but with no zombies, and no apocalypse.

My GoodReads score 7 / 10