Beau Travail

Year: 2000

Runtime: 90 min

Language: French

Director: Claire Denis

Drama

In the harsh environment of the Foreign Legion’s Gulf of Djibouti base, a seasoned officer's peaceful routine is disrupted by the arrival of a captivating new soldier. As the officer, Galoup, becomes increasingly obsessed with the recruit, his jealousy intensifies, leading him to try and undermine the young man's progress. This destructive fixation ultimately leads to Galoup's own tragic downfall and the unraveling of his carefully constructed world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Beau Travail 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 – Beau Travail (2000)

Trace every key event in Beau Travail (2000) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 18:09

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 with repressed obsession like Beau Travail

Stories where buried desire and obsession simmer quietly until self-destruction.If you liked the slow burn of repressed desire and toxic obsession in Beau Travail, you'll find similar movies here. These films explore characters crumbling under the weight of their own unspoken feelings, often set in confined worlds with a melancholic, brooding tone.

broodingrepressedobsessivemelancholicpsychologicalexistentialclaustrophobiclonely

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a protagonist, often in a regimented or isolating environment, whose fascination or jealousy for another person becomes an all-consuming, destructive force. The conflict is largely internal and psychological, unfolding at a measured pace and culminating in personal unraveling rather than external resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific atmospheric blend: a slow, deliberate pacing that builds psychological tension; a melancholic and introspective tone; and a central theme of internal, self-destructive obsession that carries heavy emotional weight.

Stories of confinement and existential crisis like Beau Travail

Character studies of isolation and identity within rigid, claustrophobic systems.Find movies similar to Beau Travail that explore intense personal crises within tight-knit or oppressive environments. These films often feature a slow pace, heavy themes, and a focus on how rigid structures like the military expose deep-seated loneliness and existential questions.

existentialclaustrophobicisolatedbroodingcontemplativeinstitutionaldisciplineddreamlike

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist embedded in a highly structured, often isolating community (military, monastic, remote outpost). The strict rules and lack of external freedom amplify internal conflicts about identity, purpose, and desire, leading to a crisis that challenges their place within the system and their sense of self.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the powerful combination of a claustrophobic or regimented setting, a slow and contemplative pace, and a central theme of existential questioning. They share a heavy, often melancholic mood where the environment is as much a character as the people.

Unlock the Full Story of Beau Travail

Don't stop at just watching — explore Beau Travail 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 Beau Travail is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Beau Travail Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Beau Travail, 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.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Beau Travail

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Beau Travail. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Beau Travail Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Beau Travail 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 Beau Travail

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Beau Travail: 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 Beau Travail

Discover movies like Beau Travail 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.