The Night of the 12th

The film opens on the night of October 12, 2016, in Grenoble, and follows an investigation that extends over nearly three years. It juxtaposes a single traumatic night with long, procedural inquiry across multiple seasons. The time frame emphasizes how unresolved violence lingers, affecting families, investigators, and the community.

The story unfolds across several French Alpine towns: Grenoble hosts the retirement party that triggers the murder investigation, while Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire anchor the crime in local social circles. The shifting settings—from a bustling city into quiet mountain communities—build a tense atmosphere where the crime overruns everyday life. The case gradually pulls in Clara’s friends and ex-partners, highlighting how intimate environments can become sites of danger.

🔎 Investigation

A carefully paced police inquiry threads through Clara’s circle, tracing alibis and hidden histories. Detectives sift through multiple potential suspects, from ex-partners to close acquaintances, while truth emerges slowly and indirectly. The case highlights the persistence and limitations of modern forensics and interviews.

💔 Trauma

Clara’s murder shatters the lives of her family and friends, leaving emotional wounds that drive the narrative. The investigation reveals how gendered violence reverberates through communities and challenges notions of safety and trust. The story probes resilience, guilt, and the long shadow cast by violence.

🕰️ Time and Unsolved

Three years pass with the killer still unknown, underscoring the slow sediment of a case within the police psyche. An evolving approach—like staking out a grave and analyzing digital memorials—reflects how methods adapt over time. The unresolved status invites reflection on memory, justice, and patience.

🕯️ Memory and Obsession

Clara’s memory drives the investigation, with memorials and online tributes shaping suspect narratives. The graveyard stakeout and Mats’s fixation illustrate how obsession can blur mourning and violence. The detectives’ vigil suggests that remembrance can both honor and complicate the pursuit of truth.