A Self-Made Hero

Year: 1997

Runtime: 107 min

Language: French

Director: Jacques Audiard

DramaComedy

A disillusioned young man, Albert Dehousse, leaves his small town after uncovering troubling secrets about his family. Initially denied military service, he travels to Paris and joins the French Resistance. Driven by a desire for recognition and validation in the turbulent years following the war, Albert fabricates heroic stories and reinvents himself, blurring the lines between reality and manufactured glory.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen A Self-Made Hero yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – A Self-Made Hero (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Self-Made Hero (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:38

Main Characters – A Self-Made Hero (1997)

Meet the key characters of A Self-Made Hero (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:38

Major Themes – A Self-Made Hero (1997)

Explore the central themes of A Self-Made Hero (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:38

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about fabricated identities like A Self-Made Hero

Stories of calculated reinvention where a lie becomes a life.If you liked the calculated deception in A Self-Made Hero, explore more movies about characters who invent heroic or glamorous pasts. This thread features similar stories of social climbing, moral compromise, and the psychological toll of living a lie, perfect for fans of satirical character studies.

deceptivesatiricalregretfulsocial climbingmoral ambiguityidentity crisisreflective

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a character discontent with their lot in life, who seizes an opportunity to become someone else. They meticulously construct a new identity, often gaining admiration and success, but the story is haunted by the threat of exposure. The arc explores the tension between the fabricated glory and the underlying emptiness, leading to a crisis of conscience or consequences.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the theme of identity fabrication. They share a melancholic or satirical tone, a steady, character-driven pacing, and a moderate emotional weight that balances the thrill of the con with the inevitable moral reckoning.

Movies about post-war moral ambiguity like A Self-Made Hero

Character studies set in the blurred moral landscape following conflict.For viewers who appreciated the post-war setting and ethical dilemmas in A Self-Made Hero, this collection features similar dramas and satires. Discover stories about survival tactics, contested memories, and the difficult choices people face in the shadow of major historical events.

regretfulreflectivesolitaryhistoricalmoral compromisesurvivalbittersweet

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often involves a character returning to or navigating a society fractured by war. They are forced to make difficult, morally questionable choices to survive or advance. The story is frequently told through a reflective or non-linear lens, contrasting past actions with present consequences, and culminating in a bittersweet reckoning with the truth.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific historical setting and thematic focus on the ethical gray zones that emerge after a war. They share a steady pacing, a melancholic or bittersweet tone, and a medium complexity that allows for nuanced exploration of character and societal rebuilding.

Unlock the Full Story of A Self-Made Hero

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Self-Made Hero in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Self-Made Hero is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Self-Made Hero Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Self-Made Hero, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Self-Made Hero Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Self-Made Hero with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Self-Made Hero Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of A Self-Made Hero that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About A Self-Made Hero

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Self-Made Hero: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to A Self-Made Hero

Discover movies like A Self-Made Hero that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.