Thieves

Thieves

Year: 1996

Runtime: 117 min

Language: French

Director: André Téchiné

DramaRomanceCrime

Driven by a need for thrills, Ivan's involvement in car theft spirals into a dangerous situation with far-reaching consequences. His actions impact his brother Alex, who is a police officer dedicated to upholding the law, and Juliette, a captivating woman who finds herself drawn into their complicated lives. As their paths intertwine, a web of crime, forbidden desire, and escalating drama threatens to consume them all.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Thieves (1996)

Trace every key event in Thieves (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ivan's death is revealed

Justin is awakened in the middle of the night as his mother Mireille weeps. His grandfather Victor tells him that his father, Ivan, is dead. This brutal news sets the tone for the mystery that unfolds through flashbacks and family tensions.

night Justin's home, Rhône-Alpes, France
2

The funeral and family tensions

The next day, Alex arrives with Juliette for Ivan's funeral. Justin senses the tense atmosphere among relatives and power players. He secretly takes his father's gun and hides it, signaling the violence that haunts the family.

the day of the funeral Ivan's funeral, Rhône-Alpes, France
3

A past meeting: Alex meets Juliette for the first time

The story flashes back to a year earlier, when Alex, now a cop, first meets Juliette after she is arrested and brought to his office. He chooses mercy and lets her go, initiating a wary, ambiguous bond. This early encounter foreshadows their later complicated relationship.

one year earlier La Duchère, Lyon, France
4

Ivan's empire and the nightclub

Alex visits Ivan's sleazy nightclub and glimpses the criminal empire behind the glamour. Ivan runs a popular drag revue and funds the business through a stolen-auto ring led by Jimmy. Juliette is tied to the operation as Ivan's sisterly figure within the network.

before Ivan's death Lyon, Ivan's nightclub
5

The forbidden affair begins

Alex and Juliette begin a tortured affair, meeting regularly for sex. He is not in love with her, and their relationship is strained by Marie, a philosophy professor connected to Juliette. The illicit bond grows under the shadow of danger.

the year before Ivan's death Lyon, various locations
6

Ivan threatens Juliette

Ivan learns of Juliette's relationship with Alex and threatens her. He asserts control and warns of consequences, heightening the danger around Juliette. The pressure contributes to the decision to pull off the heist.

the year before Ivan's death Ivan's circle, Lyon
7

The railway-yard heist is planned

Ivan and his gang plan a theft at a railway marshaling yard. Juliette is coerced into participating, despite her resistance. Jimmy leads the operation, tying Juliette further to Ivan's criminal empire.

before Ivan's death Railway marshaling yard
8

The heist turns deadly

The plan goes disastrously wrong when Ivan is shot dead along with a security guard. Juliette, coerced into participating, is distraught by the violence and the collapse of her world. The murder shatters the family and triggers a cascade of emotional fallout.

during the heist Railway marshaling yard
9

Juliette's mental collapse and hospitalization

Overwhelmed by guilt and loss, Juliette makes two suicide attempts. Marie has her interned in a psychiatric hospital to recuperate. The trauma marks a turning point for everyone linked to Ivan's world.

immediately after the heist Psychiatric hospital
10

Marie searches for Juliette and Alex's involvement

Marie visits Juliette's housing estate apartment in a bid to locate her. Alex asks Marie for the address of Juliette's clinic, hoping to bring her to safety. Juliette remains missing, and the search presses on.

shortly after hospitalization Housing estate, Lyon, France
11

Alex and Marie form an uneasy alliance

Alex tells Marie that Juliette was involved in the heist and that he is trying to find her. They develop an uneasy friendship as they work from a distance to protect Juliette. Marie retreats into writing as she drifts away from the others.

after hospitalization Marie's residence, Lyon, France
12

Marie's manuscript and Juliette's voice tapes

Alex later learns that Marie has died by suicide as he receives her manuscript and the tapes of Juliette's voice. The discovery deepens the sense of loss and unresolved questions surrounding Juliette. The material offers a window into Juliette's inner world.

later Marseille, France
13

Alex seeks Juliette in Marseille

Alex travels to Marseille hoping to find Juliette, but decides to leave her in peace when he sees she has built a new life. Juliette has started working in a bookshop and lives a quiet life away from her past. The distance between them preserves a fragile, unresolved bond.

after Marie's death Marseille, France
14

Juliette's life and the family’s future

Juliette has rebuilt her life in Marseille, away from crime. Justin, Ivan's grandson, has taken after his father and grandfather, yet he forms a surprising bond with Jimmy. Jimmy decides to marry Mireille, Ivan's widow, signaling a fragile new balance for the clan.

later Marseille and Lyon region, France

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:57

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