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Spoiler Alert: The following article reveals major spoilers for Ad Vitam. If you haven’t seen the 2025 Netflix film, please watch it before continuing. Well, unless you wish to have significant plot elements spoiled.
From time to time, an unexpected film will surge to the forefront of the Netflix rankings and catch audiences off guard. Barely two weeks into the new year, Ad Vitam gained immense popularity among individuals holding a Netflix subscription and swiftly became the top movie on the service. As someone who enjoys exploring the finest action films during my leisure, I made it a point to view this thrilling and entertaining French movie about a former elite officer who must establish his innocence and take vengeance on the individuals who abducted his spouse.
Similar to any excellent thriller, Ad Vitam was packed with impressive twists and turns, including one early in the film that genuinely took me by surprise. Now, I feel compelled to discuss it and elucidate why it elevated an already fantastic action flick to one of the finest I’ve experienced in a considerable time.
Once more, major spoilers ahead…
Alright, Ad Vitam Is An Enjoyable And Exciting Action Film Featuring Great Twists
At just over 90 minutes long, Ad Vitam is a rapid-fire action thriller that does not hesitate to dive into its exhilarating sequences and gripping narrative revolving around a former police officer named Franck Lazareff (Guillaume Canet) grappling with an incident that resulted in the death of his closest friend, leading to him being pursued by a shadowy group of government operatives. Honestly, this film hits the accelerator pretty much right out of the gate and maintains that momentum until the credits roll.
Whenever I thought I grasped what was unfolding or attempted to predict the subsequent event, the film would introduce a new twist along with another exhilarating action scene, heightening my anticipation for what would transpire next. However, there was one twist in particular that I believe was executed far better than the rest. Allow me to clarify…
The Revelation That Léo Is A Badass Who Can Stand Her Ground Was Astonishing
When the masked attackers invaded Franck and Léo’s (Stéphane Caillard) home roughly 10 minutes into the film, I anticipated witnessing yet another “damsel in distress” scenario where the protagonist would need to rescue his pregnant wife from the nefarious antagonist. And while that is somewhat accurate and Franck is driven to safeguard Léo, it becomes evident that she is a complete badass capable of holding her own in hand-to-hand encounters and using firearms.
Challenging typical action movie tropes is hardly novel for Netflix films, as Rebel Ridge, one of the best thrillers of 2024, accomplished that brilliantly. However, just when it appeared she had been kept in the dark regarding what was happening with her husband up to that point, I was pleasantly surprised to witness Léo overpowering assailants, disarming them, and delivering some serious damage, especially considering she executed all that while eight months pregnant.
Until this moment, because her backstory had not yet been unveiled, I had no idea she was capable of battling five armed men simultaneously, thus making the scene all the more striking. Then, the film shifted significantly back to the past, and everything began to fall into place.
The Narrative Structure (Present, Flashback, Present) Was Flawlessly Executed for Léo’s Character, and This Revelation
I’ll admit that I’m not particularly fond of flashbacks, especially those where we spend a bulk, or at least a significant part, of the movie revealing how events unfolded in the past. Nevertheless, the narrative layout of Ad Vitam is absolutely superb and the entire flashback segment enhances the film.
Not only does the flashback to a decade earlier elucidate why Franck’s life is so chaotic in the present and why he is no longer part of the elite unit, but it also dedicates considerable time to showcasing Léo as a determined, intelligent, and fiercely autonomous member of his elite team (with negotiation prowess). Although I believe a more traditional structure could have been effective, director Rodolphe Lauga’s choice to shock the audience with her combat abilities right at the beginning, before unraveling her identity, significantly benefited Léo’s narrative.
Léo Shooting Assailants In A High-Speed Pursuit While Pregnant And Injured Was Truly Among The Most Badass Moments I’ve Witnessed
Seen
The epic chase sequence at the conclusion of Ad Vitam is an exhilarating and captivating display that’s incredibly enjoyable from beginning to end, with numerous elements to appreciate. While I adore Franck executing the most incredible tuck-and-roll out of a speeding vehicle I’ve witnessed in years and then successfully escaping the authorities with the assistance of a paraglider, I can’t stop reflecting on the moments before when Léo is dispatching foes from her seat while expecting and nursing a gunshot wound to her arm.
This entire segment solidified Léo as a top-tier badass who refused to shrink back and conceal herself to safeguard either her or her unborn child. The elegance, proficiency, and resolve demonstrated through her actions not only enhanced one of the most remarkable car chases, but also contributed immensely to the film overall.
Then Léo, While Caring For A Newborn Baby, Unravels The Entire Mystery And Exonerates Her Husband
Following the dramatic shootout and chase sequence, Léo delivers her baby in the hospital while Franck is apprehended by law enforcement. With her spouse awaiting trial for offenses he did not commit, Léo embarks on a mission to vindicate him and reveal the high-ranking officials of the French government who orchestrated the scheme. Although I wish the film had depicted more of this journey, it was thrilling to ponder this wholeheartedly committed wife and police officer going to extraordinary lengths to rescue her husband, all whilst toting a newborn.
This extraordinary and satisfying conclusion wrapped up Ad Vitam in a splendid and gratifying manner. However, the aspect I appreciated most was that it was Léo who ultimately triumphed, leveraging both her physical prowess and her sharp investigative acumen obtained through her years as an elite officer. She’s genuinely one of the finest female action characters I’ve encountered in years.
All in all, Ad Vitam has undoubtedly secured its spot on the list of top Netflix films, as well as being an outstanding thriller packed with thrilling twists and surprises. While I’m uncertain if we’ll see a sequel at any time (I can only wish), there are some exciting upcoming releases on the 2025 film lineup, including several highly anticipated action movies.
If you wish to revisit Ad Vitam, you can do so right now as it’s currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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