Keep an Eye Out

As the credits roll, a bizarre scene takes shape: a man in swimwear is seen conducting a symphony in a verdant clearing, only to hastily abandon his performance upon the arrival of the gendarmes. The man flees but is ultimately caught and brought to the police station, where Commissaire Buron awaits him. The experienced investigator dives into a grueling interrogation of Fugain—the main suspect—refusing to give even a moment’s reprieve for food. The atmosphere is tense as Fugain relays his actions from that fateful night, claiming he stumbled upon a dead body outside his house, its pockets ransacked before he called for help.

Intrigued, Buron instructs Fugain to continue his story while she steps outside for a quick chat with her son. Taking advantage of this break, she indulges in a hot dog, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing in the interrogation room. Meanwhile, Philippe, a new police officer missing an eye, begins to monitor Fugain. In his attempt to connect over his badge, he accidentally opens a drawer and meets a tragic end—his solitary eye is fatally pierced by an object he was holding.

In a frantic state, Fugain hastily hides the body in a nearby cabinet and cleans up any traces of blood. When Buron returns, she appears oblivious to Philippe’s sudden demise. As Fugain continues his account, recounting his nighttime escapades, Buron listens intently, the tendrils of smoke from her cigarette casting a faint haze around her as she reveals an unsettling flaw—a hole in her chest.

Later, Philippe’s expectant wife arrives with news of her pregnancy, which provides Fugain with an opening to share his own fabricated tale about stomach issues, further irritating Buron, who finds her husband’s repetitive phrase, “That’s why,” to be particularly annoying.

As Fugain’s memories start to blur with reality, Philippe reappears in his thoughts—this time, with the object lodged in his eye. The one-eyed officer shares an unsettling interaction with Fugain, foreshadowing an impending tragedy. Soon after, Fugain encounters Philippe’s wife again, ominously stating that they will meet soon, wherein Philippe will meet an untimely accident.

As the story unfolds, Fugain’s growling stomach prompts expressions of hunger, annoying Buron as she recounts a challenging three-day ordeal post a helicopter crash on an isolated island. This sobering account is interrupted by Fugain’s realization that Buron seems to be present on the beach—an observation that perplexes her since she can discern nothing unusual. In a show of kindness, Buron offers Fugain an oyster from a colleague, but he foolishly chews the shell instead of swallowing it, highlighting his inexperience with the delicacy.

As Fugain’s memories start to dissipate, Buron appears in his apartment, sparking a conversation that is abruptly halted by loud screams, sending them both to investigate. Upon exiting, Buron notices an uncanny resemblance between Fugain’s nosy neighbor and a colleague, prompting her to ask Fugain to recreate the moment he found the lifeless body.

Meanwhile, in reality, Champonin—a colleague of Buron—arrives with a forensic report, disclosing that the deceased suffered from a digestive hemorrhage, an accident that raises Fugain’s hopes for release. However, Champonin soon spots an eye on the floor and concludes it belongs to Philippe.

While Fugain tries to clarify the situation, the curtain rises, revealing that the police station is actually a theatrical stage. The crowd erupts in applause as the actors take their bows, including Philippe, who appears without his disguise—much to Fugain’s bewilderment, finding him without any visual impairment. It becomes evident that everyone except Fugain is an actor, while he remains blissfully unaware that he is in a drama, convinced he’s a suspect in a murder case.

The cast then gathers at a nearby brewery, sharing fond memories of their performances and initial reviews that had left them rattled. As the evening draws to an end, Fugain, still in confusion, thanks Buron for the peculiar experience. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Buron reverts to her authoritative persona, handcuffing Fugain, declaring that the interrogation will continue in the morning.

Fugain is taken back to the police station, while Buron heads home. In a post-credits scene, the audience watches as the curtain slowly descends on the theater stage, closing a chapter on this extraordinary tale.

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 at 21:23