✅ “Ad Vitam (2025)” is a high-octane French action thriller that premiered globally on Netflix on January 10, 2025. Directed by Rodolphe Lauga and starring Guillaume Canet, the film plunges viewers into a gripping tale as an ex-elite agent’s life is shattered by his pregnant wife’s kidnapping, forcing him into a deadly web of government conspiracy and a fight for his family’s life.

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5.9/10

Ad Vitam

Director: Rodolphe Lauga

Writer: Guillaume Canet, Rodolphe Lauga, David Corona

Stars: Guillaume Canet, Stéphane Caillard, Nassim Lyes

Plot: After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazareff must find his wife Leo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men. He is caught up by his past and plunged into a state affair that is beyond him.

Countries: France, Belgium

Languages: French

IMDb: View on IMDb

Ad Vitam (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Ad Vitam (2025)
• Language: French (Original Language)
• Budget: Not Available
• Revenue: Not Available
• Runtime: 98 minutes (1h 38m)
• Release Date: January 10, 2025 (Globally on Netflix)
• Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama, Mystery
• Cast: Guillaume Canet (Franck Lazareff), Stéphane Caillard (Léo), Nassim Lyes (Ben), Zita Hanrot (Manon), Alexis Manenti (Nico), Johan Heldenbergh (Vanaken)
• Director: Rodolphe Lauga
• Screenplay: Rodolphe Lauga, David Corona, Guillaume Canet
• Studios & Producers: Cabanes Productions, Les Films du Cap, Caneo Films, Beside Productions (Production Companies). Producers: Guillaume Canet, Jean Cottin.
• Music by: Amin Bouhafa
• Cinematography: Vincent Mathias
• Editor: Not Available

OFFICIAL IMAGES

Plot Summary

“Ad Vitam (2025)” is a gripping French action thriller that thrusts former elite agent Franck Lazareff (Guillaume Canet) into a desperate fight for his family and against a powerful conspiracy. After surviving an assassination attempt at his home, Franck’s worst fears are realized when his pregnant wife, Léo (Stéphane Caillard), is kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

The abduction quickly reveals itself to be more than a random act, pulling Franck back into a dangerous past he thought he had left behind. He discovers that Léo’s kidnapping is directly linked to incriminating evidence he possesses regarding high-ranking corruption within the French government, specifically related to the death of his former GIGN partner, Nico (Alexis Manenti). As Franck races against time to rescue Léo, he navigates a treacherous landscape of betrayal, intense combat, and a deep-seated conspiracy that extends to the highest levels of power. The film’s title, Latin for “for life,” underscores Franck’s relentless dedication to saving his wife and unborn child, even as he risks everything to expose the truth and seek justice. The narrative features a mix of present-day action and crucial flashbacks that unravel the origins of the conspiracy and Franck’s personal stakes.

Cast & Crew

The film is directed by Rodolphe Lauga, who co-wrote the screenplay with Canet and David Corona. Lauga’s direction brings a high-octane energy to the action sequences, maintaining a fast pace suitable for a thriller. The cinematography by Vincent Mathias contributes to the film’s sleek, gritty aesthetic, capturing the intense fight scenes and Parisian locations effectively. The original score by Amin Bouhafa further elevates the tension and emotional stakes. The film was produced by Guillaume Canet and Jean Cottin, alongside production companies like Cabanes Productions, Les Films du Cap, Caneo Films, and Beside Productions, ensuring a robust production quality for this action-packed thriller.

Critical & Audience Response

“Ad Vitam (2025)” received a mixed reception from critics and audiences alike. While it quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s most-watched movies upon its release, reviews indicate a split opinion. Critics generally praised its solid action sequences, particularly those involving Guillaume Canet’s daredevil stunts and the film’s visual flair. The initial premise was often lauded for its intriguing setup.

However, the film drew criticism for its convoluted plot, with several reviewers pointing out that an extended flashback sequence in the middle of the film disrupted its momentum and added unnecessary “belly fat” to the narrative. Some found the story predictable and the characters, despite the personal drama, lacked sufficient emotional depth to keep viewers fully invested. While the action was deemed competent, the film was sometimes seen as a “by-the-numbers chase thriller” that didn’t fully commit to a specific tone or identity, oscillating between a dramatic character study and an over-the-top actioner. Despite these criticisms, its fast pace and engaging lead performance made it an accessible choice for a mainstream audience looking for a quick action fix on Netflix.

Direction & Cinematography

Rodolphe Lauga’s direction in “Ad Vitam (2025)” is characterized by its focus on delivering high-impact action and maintaining a relentless pace suitable for a thriller. Lauga, who also co-wrote the screenplay, orchestrates a series of intense fight scenes and car chases, ensuring the film remains visually dynamic. While some critics noted that the narrative structure, particularly an extended flashback, occasionally hampered the momentum, Lauga generally succeeds in crafting a propulsive and engaging action experience. He effectively utilizes the film’s Parisian settings, incorporating iconic landmarks into the chase sequences, adding to the visual appeal.

The cinematography by Vincent Mathias is a key strength of “Ad Vitam.” Mathias’s work contributes significantly to the film’s sleek and gritty aesthetic. He employs dynamic camera work during action sequences, enhancing the sense of urgency and danger. The visual style often utilizes a muted yet sharp palette, fitting for a crime thriller, and effectively captures the tension in both the intimate dramatic moments and the expansive action set pieces. The cinematography ensures that the film looks polished and cinematic, providing a strong visual foundation for the narrative.

Music & Background Score

The music and background score for “Ad Vitam (2025)” were composed by Amin Bouhafa. For an action-thriller, the score plays a crucial role in building suspense, elevating the intensity of action sequences, and underscoring the emotional stakes. Bouhafa’s composition for “Ad Vitam” would be expected to feature a blend of tense electronic elements and more traditional orchestral sounds, creating a dynamic soundscape that propels the narrative forward.

In a film heavily reliant on chases, conspiracies, and personal drama, the score would likely be designed to enhance the sense of urgency and danger during high-stakes moments, while also providing a poignant backdrop for the more dramatic and emotional beats, such as Franck’s desperation to save his wife. A well-crafted score would effectively highlight the film’s blend of crime, mystery, and personal vendetta, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats throughout the fast-paced plot.

Visuals & Special Effects

“Ad Vitam (2025)” relies heavily on its visuals and practical action sequences rather than extensive CGI-driven special effects, typical for a modern action thriller of its kind. The film’s visual strengths stem from its dynamic cinematography by Vincent Mathias, which captures the gritty realism of the combat and chase scenes. The use of real-world locations, including iconic Parisian landmarks, adds to the authenticity and visual scale of the film.

Any special effects are likely employed subtly to enhance the impact of explosions, gunshots, or other intense moments, ensuring they feel grounded and impactful without appearing overly artificial. The film reportedly features “daredevil bounding over Parisian roofs” and a “paragliding sequence,” suggesting a combination of practical stunts and well-integrated visual effects for these more elaborate set pieces. Overall, the visuals aim to deliver a visceral action experience, making the stakes feel immediate and the physical confrontations impactful.

Editing & Screenplay

The editing for “Ad Vitam (2025)” is crucial in maintaining the film’s fast pace, especially during its numerous action sequences. For a thriller of this nature, effective editing ensures that the tension is consistently built and released, keeping the audience engaged. However, critical reviews suggest that the editing, particularly around an extensive flashback sequence, might have impacted the film’s overall momentum, causing it to “slow the momentum” and feel “overlong.” This indicates a mixed reception on how smoothly the narrative flow was managed.

The screenplay, co-written by director Rodolphe Lauga, David Corona, and lead actor Guillaume Canet, forms the backbone of the film’s plot. The script aims to deliver a complex narrative involving government conspiracies, personal vendetta, and high-stakes action. While it introduces intriguing elements and a compelling personal motive for the protagonist, some critics found the plot “convoluted” or “predictable” at times. The attempt to weave personal drama with large-scale conspiracy sometimes led to a perceived lack of identity or an “overthought and underwhelming” feeling. Despite these criticisms, the screenplay successfully establishes the urgent premise and the protagonist’s desperate fight.

Positives / What Works

“Ad Vitam (2025)” shines in its high-octane action sequences, delivering thrilling chases, intense fights, and impressive stunts, particularly those performed by Guillaume Canet. The film benefits from Canet’s strong and committed performance as the lead, lending credibility to his character’s desperate fight. Its sleek visual style and effective cinematography by Vincent Mathias create an engaging and polished look. The premise of an ex-agent uncovering a government conspiracy after his pregnant wife’s kidnapping provides a compelling and urgent hook, immediately drawing viewers into the high stakes. Its global release on Netflix allowed it to quickly reach a wide audience, indicating a certain level of broad appeal for action enthusiasts.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

Despite its action prowess, “Ad Vitam (2025)” faced criticism for its convoluted and sometimes predictable plot, which struggled to balance its various elements. An **overlong flashback sequence** was frequently cited as a major detractor, significantly disrupting the film’s pacing and momentum. Some reviewers found the characters, particularly the protagonist, lacked sufficient emotional depth to fully invest the audience despite the high stakes. The film’s attempt to blend personal drama with a large-scale conspiracy occasionally felt uneven, leading to an identity crisis where it didn’t fully commit to one genre or tone. This resulted in some viewers finding it “mostly forgettable” or “underwhelming” despite the action.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Ad Vitam (2025)” delivers a robust dose of French action and thrills, offering an engaging premise and showcasing Guillaume Canet’s committed performance as an ex-agent fighting for his family against a deep-seated conspiracy. Director Rodolphe Lauga effectively crafts intense combat and chase sequences, supported by strong cinematography. While the film’s plot can sometimes feel convoluted, and a lengthy flashback threatens to derail its momentum, its core appeal lies in its visceral action and high stakes. For viewers seeking a fast-paced, albeit at times uneven, action thriller to stream, “Ad Vitam” provides an entertaining, if not groundbreaking, ride that quickly found a large audience on Netflix.

Movie Rating

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