Savage Nights

Jean explains that he moves through life like an American tourist, chasing as many towns as possible. He is handsome, but self-centered, childish and hedonistic, with a complicated sense of purpose. The opening sets up his restless attitude toward life and art.

During a casting session, Laura, a lively seventeen-year-old, captivates him with her charm. Jean pursues her with intensity, and she is drawn into his world. They begin a passionate affair that pulls them into each other’s orbit.

While his relationship with Laura unfolds, Jean is drawn to Samy, a young rugby player with his own troubles. Samy is straight, unemployed, and living with his girlfriend Marianne after emigrating from Spain, yet he does not balk at an intimate connection with Jean. The triangle begins to bind them all in a fragile, unstable web.

Jean conceals his HIV status from Laura until after they have had sex. Laura reacts with fury, while her mother is equally livid. Despite the shock, Laura remains deeply in love and chooses to continue the relationship, even refusing to use condoms as Jean had hoped.

Laura's emotional problems erupt when she lashes out at the dress shop owner where she works, leading to her dismissal. Her reactions are entangled with her struggle over Jean's bisexuality and the couple's volatile life. The event highlights how their relationship disrupts every aspect of her life.

Jean seeks refuge in sexual excess, moving through anonymous encounters in dark cruising spots. These sessions serve as a temporary escape from illness and relationship frustrations, fueling his pattern of reckless behavior. The pursuit of pleasure grows more fraught as his reality tightens around him.

Samy develops a taste for sadomasochism and violence, and he moves in with Jean, leaving Marianne behind. Marianne angrily berates Jean for his influence on Samy and the two men’ s complicated bond deepens. The living arrangement tightens the couple’s dangerous dynamic.

A fight with racist skinheads punctuates the tension around Samy’s presence. Afterward, Samy consummates his relationship with Jean and professes that he loves him. The moment marks a pivotal shift in their relationship and its stakes.

Laura becomes increasingly angry and desperate as she grapples with Jean's bisexuality and the chaos around them. She begs for an exit and pleads for him to leave, even threatening to ruin his life. Her emotional collapse deepens the rift between them.

After a night of drinking and partying, Jean yells to his friends, proclaiming that he wants to live. The next morning Laura discovers him in bed with Samy and his ex-girlfriend, triggering a furious, prolonged confrontation.

Laura threatens to commit suicide and accuses Jean of infecting her with HIV. Jean, with Laura's mother, seeks psychological help to support her, recognizing the depth of her distress. The crisis prompts an attempt to salvage her wellbeing.

Jean struggles to find meaning in his life, and a painful conversation with his mother underscores his inner turmoil. The exchange exposes his unresolved feelings and the weight of his choices. The scene signals his ongoing internal conflict.

Returning home, Jean is reckless with both life and HIV medication, skipping treatment to keep drinking and partying. The accident marks a turning point, underscoring the consequences of his lifestyle. It forces a pause in his frantic search for meaning.

Jean looks to reconnect and tells himself he wants to tell Laura that he loves her. Laura, however, has found a new boyfriend and appears to be moving forward. They share a brief, tender kiss before ultimately parting ways.

Jean finally finds a sense of peace with his HIV status and with his life. He acknowledges his earlier recklessness but reaches a calmer understanding of who he is. The narrative closes on a note of quiet acceptance.