The Swarm

Virginie, a widow, lives a quiet life in the French countryside, balancing her responsibilities as a single mother to her children, Laura and Gaston. However, she finds herself in a difficult situation as she attempts to raise locusts for protein, a decision that turns out to be more challenging than anticipated.

The family's turbulent journey began with the tragic death of Virginie's husband, Nico, which is suggested to be a suicide. This devastating loss leads Virginie to shift her focus from their previous goat farming to rearing locusts, which soon proves to be a disappointing endeavor.

One day, Gaston observes that their locusts exhibit a peculiar attraction to flesh, specifically after one feeds on a wound from his hand. This startling revelation could potentially open new avenues for their locust farming venture, but it also foreshadows darker events ahead.

Laura faces bullying at school from Kévin, a classmate, who ridicules her family and their unconventional protein source. This conflict adds to the family's tension as they each deal with external pressures in their own way.

Frustration boils over for Virginie when she realizes that people only buy her locusts out of pity. In an emotional fit, she destroys the nests in her enclosure, only to have a mishap that causes her to lose consciousness, highlighting her desperate state.

After regaining consciousness, Virginie is horrified to discover the locusts feeding on her arm wounds. This shocking event marks a turning point, revealing the extent of her chaotic situation and her growing obsession with the locusts.

The following night, the locusts exhibit an unprecedented growth after Virginie allows them to feed from her exposed arm. This risky move results in a surge of locusts, allowing her to sell significant quantities, but it comes at a horrifying cost.

As Virginie's obsession deepens, Laura becomes increasingly alarmed by her mother’s actions. In a fit of anger, she tears open one of the greenhouses, releasing a swarm that attacks their goat, Huguette, demonstrating her own turmoil and sense of helplessness.

Upon learning about Huguette's fate, Virginie chooses to keep this tragic information from Gaston. This decision reflects her deteriorating mental state, as the burden of the locusts continues to isolate her from her loved ones.

Gaston gets a chance to attend a soccer camp, but Virginie’s obsessive care for the locusts prevents her from driving him. This shift marks a further separation in the family dynamics, as Laura takes on the role of caregiver.

Laura stumbles upon her mother's disturbing secret when she discovers bloodied clothing strewn across the floor and finds Virginie in a horrifying state in the greenhouses. In desperation, she reaches out to their friend Karim for help.

While searching for his missing dog, a neighbor inadvertently meets a tragic end in the greenhouses. Karim finds out about this horrifying discovery, realizing the extent of Virginie’s dark secret and the threat that the locusts pose to everyone.

As chaos ensues, Karim tries to eliminate the locust threat by setting the greenhouses on fire. However, the locusts break free and swarm towards the house where Laura and Karim are hiding, indicating the dire situation has spiraled out of control.

In a harrowing moment, Virginie sacrifices herself, cutting her palms to lead the locusts away from Laura. Despite the dangers, Laura swims towards her mother, culminating in a poignant reunion as they confront the remnants of the swarm together.

As dawn breaks, after the harrowing events, Laura and Virginie stand together against the remaining locusts. This moment signifies a faint glimmer of hope amidst the despair that has enveloped their lives, suggesting the possibility of resilience and recovery.