The Devil and the Ten Commandments

An elderly handyman at a convent who embodies quiet piety and stubborn humor. He fears taking the Lord's name in vain, but salvation comes when an old school friend—the bishop—visits and intervenes. His arc highlights mercy, humility, and the fragility of faith in everyday life.

A visiting bishop and old acquaintance who diffuses the tension around Jérôme and restores balance. He represents the ties between church authority and personal history. His presence anchors the episode’s moral tone.

A young woman drawn to wealth and social prestige, who succumbs to temptation and disrupts her circle. Her actions trigger a chain of exchanges that tests loyalties among friends and spouses. She embodies flirtation with danger and the costs of desire.

Friend of Françoise and wife of Philip Allan. She becomes the recipient of the necklace, highlighting issues of trust and social competition. Her place in the story underscores how appearances can mask moral choices.

Wealthy husband whose presence fuels the episode’s deception and material temptations. He wields money as a tool for power and seduction. His actions catalyze the moral test faced by Françoise.

Husband of Françoise who uncovers the hidden necklace and passes it to Micheline, becoming a catalyst for the ensuing moral misdirection. His practical, steady demeanor contrasts with the others’ impulsiveness.

A renowned stage actress and Pierre’s mother figure. She alternates between flirtation and evasiveness, complicating family dynamics as Pierre learns about his origins. Her artistic persona masks vulnerability and ambiguity.

A nearly 21-year-old medical student navigating a tense home life and a revelation about his birth mother. He resolves to be a good son and redefine his future in the wake of family secrets.

Pierre’s taciturn father, whose relationship with his son/stepfamily reveals strain and generational conflict. He upholds practical values but also carries an undercurrent of affection.

Pierre’s mother figure, whose stern yet caring presence underpins the family dynamics. Her behavior hints at resilience in the face of upheaval and mystery.

A Jesuit novice who abandons the order to seek vengeance for his sister’s suicide, only to meet a fatal end. His actions illuminate themes of sacrifice, justice, and the consequences of violence.

A dangerous pimp whose predatory actions drive Denis to confrontation. His downfall comes through a police intervention, underscoring risks of crime and the fragility of power.

An elderly man who pretends to be paralyzed, later revealed to be more cunning. His role interacts with the God-figure episode and the lines between gullibility and deception.

A Father Superior, representing religious authority and order within the convent setting. He embodies institutional moral framework and pastoral guidance.

A bank cashier who battles a thief, symbols of everyday virtue in modern life. He improvises to recover the stolen money, reflecting values like honesty and perseverance.

A companion character adding to the mosaic of relationships and temptations in the story. Her presence highlights social dynamics and flirtation within the ensemble.

The narrative’s temptor and narrator’s other voice, embodying the moral testing present throughout the episodes.