The Son

Olivier Gourmet is a stern master carpenter at a youth trade training center who is assigned a new apprentice. The boy, Francis Thorion, had recently been released from juvenile detention for a murder five years earlier that involved Olivier’s son. Olivier remains reserved and cool toward Francis, who is unaware of their shared history.

At Magali's home, Olivier tells his ex-wife that Francis was denied from the center but that he had considered taking the boy on. Magali is upset by the suggestion and questions Olivier's judgment. The revelation hints at a past connection between Olivier and the boy that neither fully understands.

During a moment of private curiosity, Olivier steals Francis's keys and sneaks into his barren apartment. He observes the stark living conditions and the loneliness surrounding Francis, which complicates his view of the boy. The intrusion marks a secretive widening of Olivier's involvement with Francis.

Olivier offers to drive Francis home from the center, triggering Magali's confrontation about the boy's murder. She faints in shock, and on waking asks why Olivier has taken the boy under his wing. Olivier can only reply that he does not know.

The next day they embark on a training excursion to a sawmill. Olivier questions Francis about the circumstances of his detention, but the boy remains evasive. The ride and tasks amplify the tension and underline their uncertain dynamic.

During a lunch break at the site, Francis asks Olivier to be his guardian; Olivier gives an inconclusive response. The moment deepens Francis's sense of dependency while keeping Olivier's true motivation opaque. The exchange intensifies the uneasy bond between them.

Back at the work area, they play table football, and Olivier nudges Francis to admit that he killed someone. The confession is coaxed and heavy with ambivalence, revealing a hidden guilt in Francis. Olivier's reaction remains controlled, balancing curiosity with unease.

On the drive back, Francis admits that he strangled a boy to death during a car radio theft. Olivier's initial anger flickers, but he stays restrained, aiming to understand rather than punish. The admission shifts the balance of power between trainer and trainee.

At the sawmill, Olivier bluntly states that the boy Francis killed was his own son. Francis, terrified of vengeance, runs and hides, throwing planks at Olivier to deter pursuit. The revelation intensifies the danger and fuels a deadly tension between them.

Olivier catches up to Francis and begins to strangle him, but he stops before causing serious harm. He returns to the mill alone, his thoughts heavy with the hidden past. The moment leaves both men on edge and more deeply divided.

Francis reappears at the mill, and the two resume their work in near-silent tension. The air between them remains charged, with unspoken guilt and fear shaping every action. The scene ends with a fragile, unresolved bond lingering in the background.

While the immediate crisis fades, the past continues to shadow Olivier and Francis. The training proceeds, but their relationship is defined by a complex mix of duty, guilt, and the possibility of future conflict. The future of their bond remains uncertain.