Year: 2011
Runtime: 77 min
Language: French
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Inspired by a tragic real-life event, Polytechnique depicts the horrifying attack on École Polytechnique in Montreal, where a gunman targeted female engineering students. The film explores the devastating impact of this senseless act of violence, portraying the immediate aftermath and the profound grief experienced by the survivors and the community. It offers a stark and unflinching look at the tragedy and its far-reaching consequences.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Polytechnique 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Polytechnique (2011), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
A young man meticulously prepares his rifle and writes a heartfelt message to his mother before heading to Polytechnique Montreal, an engineering school. Inside a classroom, he disrupts the lesson by entering with his weapon drawn. Demanding the men vacate the room while instructing the women to remain, he demonstrates the seriousness of his intentions by firing a shot into the ceiling. As he proclaims his animosity towards feminists, the terrified women protest their non-feminist beliefs, yet he callously opens fire, leaving some dead and others wounded. The chaos escalates as he roams through the hallways and cafeteria, specifically targeting women in a premeditated attack.
Among those caught in the turmoil is Jean-François, a male student who received the order to exit the classroom. Instead of fleeing, he bravely returns to confront the shooter and assist the injured victims. Meanwhile, Valérie and Stéphanie, two women who manage to survive the initial onslaught, play dead, hoping to escape the killer’s notice. Unfortunately, Stéphanie later succumbs to her injuries, amplifying the tragedy of the day.
As the rampage continues, the assailant finds another classroom where he ruthlessly murders a female lecturer. In a moment of despair, he takes his own life, resulting in a gruesome mingling of his blood with that of his victims.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Jean-François, plagued by guilt for having obeyed the order to leave and abandoning the women, tragically ends his own life through carbon monoxide poisoning. Valérie, now wearing the Iron Ring—the professional symbol of Canadian engineers—discovers that she is pregnant. Determined to instill love and resilience, she resolves to teach her potential son to embrace kindness or her potential daughter that the world rightfully belongs to her.
Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:46
Don't stop at just watching — explore Polytechnique 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 Polytechnique is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Polytechnique with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Polytechnique. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Polytechnique 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.
Polytechnique (2011) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Polytechnique (2011) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Polytechnique (2011) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Polytechnique – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Revoir Paris (2023) Full Movie Breakdown
Polisse (2012) Full Movie Breakdown
What Jennifer Did (2024) Story Summary & Characters
November 13: Attack on Paris (1000) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Generation Columbine (2019) Film Overview & Timeline
Polytechnique: What Remains of December 6 (2019) Full Summary & Key Details
Victim(s) (2020) Complete Plot Breakdown
Action : The October Crisis of 1970 (1973) Movie Recap & Themes
Octobre (1994) Detailed Story Recap
Le banquet (2008) Film Overview & Timeline
La Haine (1995) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Duck! The Carbine High Massacre (1999) Movie Recap & Themes
Our Brothers (2022) Film Overview & Timeline
Ménilmontant (1926) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Polytechnique (2009) Full Summary & Key Details