Only the Animals

Only the Animals

Year: 2021

Runtime: 116 min

Language: French

Director: Dominik Moll

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

As a blizzard ravages the French countryside, the enigmatic Evelyne Ducat vanishes, leaving behind a trail of secrets and shattered lives. As the police dig deeper into her disappearance, five seemingly unrelated individuals find their worlds colliding in a deadly dance of revelations, lies, and long-buried truths.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Only the Animals (2021)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Only the Animals (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events influence the darker themes of the narrative, reflecting modern societal issues through the characters' intertwined lives. The harsh winter setting creates a stark contrast to the warmth of interpersonal relationships, shaping their decisions and consequences.

Location

Abidjan, French Massif Central, Sète

Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, is known for its bustling markets and vibrant culture. The French Massif Central features rugged landscapes and picturesque farms, often blanketed by harsh winters. Sète is a charming coastal town famous for its seafood and artistic heritage, serving as a backdrop for the passionate encounters in the story.

🏙️ City 🏔️ Mountains 🌊 Sea

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:34

Main Characters – Only the Animals (2021)
Meet the key characters of Only the Animals (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alice Farange (Laure Calamy)

Alice is a complex character torn between duty and desire. As an insurance agent, she navigates her professional responsibilities while engaging in a passionate but secretive affair with Joseph. Her struggle with her emotions and the consequences of her actions shape her journey, leading to a tragic confrontation with her life and relationships.

👩‍❤️‍💔 Love 😔 Conflict 🚪 Secrets

Joseph Bonnefille (Damien Bonnard)

Joseph is depicted as a lonely and introspective farmer, grappling with haunting guilt and emotional turmoil. His relationship with Alice introduces a momentary escape from his solitude, but ultimately leads him down a dark path. Joseph's character embodies the struggle between desire and morality, revealing the depths of despair he experiences.

🌾 Solitude 💔 Guilt 🌪️ Turmoil

Michel (Denis Ménochet)

Michel is portrayed as an emotionally volatile character whose possessiveness and jealousy deeply affect those around him. His interactions with Alice are filled with tension, ultimately leading to tragic misunderstandings. The unraveling of his character showcases the destructive power of jealousy and suspicion.

😡 Jealousy 💢 Violence 🎭 Complexity

Evelyne Ducat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi)

Evelyne is a nuanced character whose desire for connection leads to complex relationships. Her interactions with Marion reveal her emotional vulnerabilities and yearning for intimacy. However, her precarious situation ultimately culminates in tragedy, highlighting the consequences of her choices.

💖 Passion ❓ Mystery 🌌 Vulnerability

Cédric Vigier (Bastien Bouillon)

Cédric serves as the local policeman attempting to uncover the truth behind the missing woman. His character represents law and order, juxtaposed against the chaos of the other characters' lives. Cédric's inquiries reflect the community's struggle to confront uncomfortable truths.

👮‍♂️ Law 🔦 Investigation 😕 Confusion

Marion (Nadia Tereszkiewicz)

Marion is a young and passionate waitress who finds herself entangled in a romantic relationship with Evelyne. Her character embodies youthful desire and the quest for love, but her longing leads to unforeseen confrontations. Marion's story highlights the vulnerability and intensity of first love.

💞 Love 🌊 Desire ❗ Conflict

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:34

Major Themes – Only the Animals (2021)
Explore the central themes of Only the Animals (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Infidelity

Infidelity weaves a central thread through the narrative, impacting relationships and lives dramatically. Alice's affair with Joseph serves as a catalyst for chaos, stirring jealousy and leading to destructive confrontations. The theme explores the nuances of love, betrayal, and the consequences of secret desires.

🔍 Mystery

A pervasive sense of mystery runs throughout the film, particularly around the disappearance of Evelyne and the secrets of the main characters. The unfolding layers of deception and hidden truths create an atmosphere of suspense that keeps the audience engaged. This theme not only drives the plot but also highlights the impact of choices made amidst uncertainty.

🌀 Tragedy

Tragedy is a potent theme, driven by the characters' fateful decisions and intertwined destinies. The film examines the emotional and psychological toll of their actions, often culminating in irreversible consequences. The tragic outcomes serve as poignant reminders of how quickly life can spiral out of control when desire, jealousy, and guilt intersect.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:34

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