Year: 1972
Runtime: 123 mins
Language: French
Director: Yves Boisset
Darien, a left‑wing police informant, is ordered to lure his old friend Sadiel to Paris to film a television special on the Third World. Sadiel, the exiled leader of a North African state, is being pursued by ruthless Colonel Kassar. When Sadiel arrives, Darien discovers he has been used and tries to reverse the situation, unaware of forces at play.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Assassination (1972) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a world where diplomatic façades mask simmering rivalries, the film unfolds across the sleek corridors of Parisian media and the shadowed back‑rooms of international intelligence. The era’s uneasy balance between revolutionary idealism and covert statecraft creates a palpable tension, turning every televised interview and whispered phone call into a potential flashpoint. The city itself feels both a stage for grand political theater and a maze of unseen agendas, setting a tone that is simultaneously sophisticated, claustrophobic, and laced with unease.
Darien is a former militant journalist turned police informant, whose past activism still haunts his conscience. Pressed by French intelligence to harness his old connection, he is tasked with escorting an exiled figure to a televised special about the Third World. Though he approaches the job with the cynical pragmatism of a man accustomed to manipulation, the assignment also offers a rare chance to reclaim some personal agency. His relationship with his partner, Edith, and his lingering doubts about the moral cost of his cooperation lend the narrative a deeply personal undercurrent amid the larger geopolitical chess game.
Sadiel is the charismatic leader of a North‑African opposition movement, now living in exile and dreaming of a democratic future for his homeland. His arrival in Paris is meant to be a symbolic moment, amplified by the promise of a television audience. Yet the presence of Colonel Kassar, a ruthless pursuer backed by powerful interests, casts a long shadow over the proceedings. As the two old friends reunite under the bright lights of a media production, the film hints that forces beyond their control are already stirring, inviting viewers to wonder how far the line between propaganda and truth can be pushed before everything unravels.
Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:03
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where conspiracy and surveillance erode trust and reality itself.If you liked the web of espionage and deception in The Assassination, explore more movies like it. This collection features tense, complex thrillers about political conspiracy, moral compromise, and the crushing weight of surveillance states, perfect for fans of cynical, high-stakes narratives.
Narratives typically center on an individual, often an informant or journalist, who becomes ensnared in a vast conspiracy beyond their control. The plot unfolds through a series of betrayals and revelations, methodically stripping away the protagonist's sense of security and agency, often leading to a fatalistic conclusion where the powerful system prevails.
Movies are grouped here for their shared atmosphere of pervasive distrust and their focus on the psychological toll of navigating a corrupt political landscape. They share a tense tone, complex plotting, and a bleak outlook on power and information.
Journeys where personal loyalties are weaponized, leading to devastating consequences.For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight of betrayal in The Assassination, this list curates similar films exploring moral collapse and the devastating impact of treachery. Discover stories where friendship is exploited, leading to tense, psychologically taxing narratives with bleak outcomes.
The narrative pattern involves a character being manipulated into betraying someone close to them, only to realize too late that they are a disposable asset. The story arc is one of escalating disillusionment and powerlessness, culminating in a conclusion that offers no redemption, only the bleak finality of the protagonist's defeat or destruction.
These films are connected by their exploration of betrayal as a central theme, their heavy emotional weight, and their consistently bleak endings. They prioritize psychological realism and the tragic fallout of moral compromise over action or hope.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Assassination in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Assassination is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Assassination, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Assassination with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Assassination. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Assassination: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Assassination that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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