They Came Back

In a nameless French town, the deceased begin to rise from their graves, forming a tranquil procession out of the cemetery. This remarkable event surprises the entire community as they see their loved ones return, leading to a mix of emotions and questions about the implications of this phenomenon.

The town's mayor, Victor Garrivier, calls an emergency council meeting to address the arising situation. He reveals that the resurrection phenomenon has affected about 70 million people across France, including over 13,000 in their small town, necessitating a plan for reintegration.

The town quickly realizes that those who have returned show concerning symptoms similar to severe concussions, including disorientation and disrupted sleep. These challenges pose significant obstacles in their efforts to reintegrate the returned individuals into normal society.

Many of the returned are former professionals who now find themselves limited to menial jobs. While they can execute basic tasks, their inability to solve problems independently raises questions about the true nature of their consciousness and existence.

Dr. Frédéric Pierrot grows increasingly suspicious of the returned, noting their participation in secretive nighttime meetings. During these gatherings, he observes that their symptoms appear to fade away, leading him to question their real state and intentions.

Amidst the turmoil, touching reunions occur as people reconnect with their loved ones. The mayor's wife, Catherine, is reunited with Victor, and a young boy, Saady, joyfully returns to his parents, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of their resurrection.

The relationship between Rachel and Mathieu rekindles as they navigate their tumultuous past. Initially hesitant, Rachel slowly opens up to Mathieu, leading to an intimate connection that emphasizes the complexities of love amidst chaos.

Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered when a series of explosions rocks the town, attributed to the returned in a chaotic act of sabotage. This shocking turn of events creates widespread panic and uncertainty among the residents.

In the midst of the chaos, the returned retreat into a network of underground tunnels for safety. The mayor desperately tries to stop his wife from joining the others, but his health deteriorates, leading to a heart-wrenching farewell.

As Victor succumbs to illness, he shares a poignant moment with Martha, who encourages him to accept his fate. Following his death, he mysteriously reappears among the returned in the tunnels, further complicating the events unfolding.

In a drastic measure to control the situation, the military deploys gas that puts the returned victims into a permanent coma. This aggressive tactic raises ethical questions and highlights the desperate circumstances surrounding the town.

With his knowledge of the tunnels, Mathieu takes a brave but risky journey back to Rachel. He recounts the details of his fatal car crash, reminding her of their deep connection as he prepares to navigate the dangers that lie ahead.

Before losing sight of him, Rachel shares a tearful kiss with Mathieu, grasping the significance of their love amidst the chaos. As she ascends back to the surface, she holds onto the hope of their reunion even as circumstances grow dire.

Rachel emerges to a harrowing sight as military forces begin to cart away the lifeless bodies of the comatose returned, laying them atop their original graves. Their ultimate vanishing into nothingness signifies a heartbreaking loss for the town and those who loved them.