Polytechnique

Year: 2011

Runtime: 77 min

Language: French

Director: Denis Villeneuve

DramaHistoryCrime

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!

Timeline & Setting – Polytechnique (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Polytechnique (2011). 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 21:59

Main Characters – Polytechnique (2011)

Meet the key characters of Polytechnique (2011), 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 21:59

Major Themes – Polytechnique (2011)

Explore the central themes of Polytechnique (2011), 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 21:59

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.

Harrowing True Stories like Polytechnique

Bleak, intense dramatizations of devastating historical events.If you were affected by the stark realism of Polytechnique, explore more movies like it. These films are intense docudramas based on real-life tragedies, focusing on grief, survival, and societal impact with an unflinching and respectful gaze.

harrowingsomberanxioustragicgrievingunflinchingdocudramadevastating

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a linear, often straightforward structure to recount a specific, tragic event. The narrative thrust comes from the factual unfolding of the incident and its immediate, devastating consequences, prioritizing emotional truth over complex plotting.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to portraying real-life horror with stark realism, their overwhelmingly dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and their focus on the raw, painful aftermath of catastrophic events.

Intense Survival Thrillers like Polytechnique

Stories of imminent threat and the fight to survive a sudden attack.For viewers who appreciated the high-stakes tension of Polytechnique's central sequence, this list features similar movies. Discover other films with fast-paced, confined survival scenarios where characters face sudden, extreme violence and fight for their lives.

tenseanxiousharrowingclaustrophobicchaoticsurvivalstressfuldevastating

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a sudden, catastrophic incursion of violence into an ordinary setting. The plot is driven by the immediate, life-or-death struggle, often unfolding in real-time or with a tight focus on the event itself and its traumatic aftermath.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by their masterful building of claustrophobic dread, their relentless pacing during critical sequences, and their exploration of the psychological and physical toll of surviving a concentrated, high-intensity attack.

Unlock the Full Story of Polytechnique

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.

Polytechnique Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Polytechnique, 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.

Polytechnique Timeline

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.

Polytechnique Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Polytechnique 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 Polytechnique

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

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.