Maldoror

2024 [FRENCH]

Crime / Drama / Thriller

Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 75% · 12 reviews
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 997 997

Plot summary

When two girls go missing, Paul Chartier, an impulsive young police recruit, is assigned to “Maldoror”. This secret unit has been set up to monitor a dangerous sex offender. When the operation fails, fed up with the limits of the legal system, Chartier embarks on a solitary hunt to bring down the culprits.

Director

Fabrice Du Welz Photo
Fabrice Du Welz

Top cast

Lubna Azabal Photo
Lubna Azabal as Mme Santos
Béatrice Dalle Photo
Béatrice Dalle as Rita
Sergi López Photo
Sergi López as Marcel Dedieu
Jackie Berroyer Photo
Jackie Berroyer as Jacky Dolman
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
1.38 GB
1200*720
French 2.0
NR
ru  fr  nl  
24 fps
2 hr 33 min
Seeds ...
2.83 GB
1800*1080
French 5.1
NR
ru  fr  nl  
24 fps
2 hr 33 min
Seeds ...

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by kosmasp 9 / 10

Catch them ... but you can't

I know it should be called "if you can" ... and I reckon that would have worked too ... but I decided to go that way ... still no pun intended. The movie is based on a real story - and me not having any idea what happened back in the 90s ... and from what I understand this takes a lot of creative licenses ... with who did what to whom ... who survived and who didn't ... and I assume the main character (police/gendarmerie) is an amalgamation of many characters into one - I could obviously be wrong, but I would not be surprised if that was the case.That said, the movie might be long (2,5 hours), but it never really feels that way. Well maybe during the wedding stuff at the beginning ... been there, done and know that. Greeks party similar - like the Italians ... is this necessary for the story? I would argue not ... but maybe I am missing something.The thrilling part is really well done ... you feel with the main character ... a lot of things go wrong ... he has the right eye, he has the right "nose" ... but will he be able to convince others of that? A lot of departments working almost against each other ... this is well told and acted ... still for me a factor x is missing to make this go over the top ... as many praises as it has gotten ... and as good as it is ... the last push is missing ... a bit more charisma maybe ... more tension throughout ... and so forth.
Reviewed by rubenm 7 / 10

Exciting thriller about a dark page in Belgium's history

In 'Maldoror', director Fabrice du Welz tackles one of Belgium's darkest pages in recent history. The abduction and death of several teenage girls by Marc Dutroux caused a national trauma in 1996. The fact that local police forces and criminal investigators hardly cooperated during the investigation, may have cost the girls their lives. This failure led to a thorough reorganisation of law enforcement.The movie tells the story from the viewpoint of a police officer, Paul Charlier, who searched the cellar where the girls were hidden. He heard them whisper, but couldn't find them because of the limited search warrant. These events happened in reality, but Du Welz mixes facts and fiction in his film. He portrays the police officer as a typical streetwise cop, who prefers his gut feelings over rules and procedures. Charlier knows he is right, but his superiors have other priorities. Ultimately, his perseverance and lack of respect for authorities lead to his downfall, the end of his marriage, but also to his ultimate moral victory.The movie is at the same time an exciting police thriller and a character study of Charlier. His strong will is the result from his upbringing: his parents were far from law-abiding. He is determined to be 'on the right side', but for him hunting down criminals is what counts. If rules and regulations stand in the way, he ignores them.Visually, the film is a joy to watch. The desolate industrial wasteland of Charleroi, where the abductions took place, is used to the maximum. Also, the hopelesness of the city, where unlawful activities seem to thrive, adds to the gloomy atmosphere.The film documents an important part of Belgian history, and for those who followed the events at the time, it is an interesting interpretation. But some events are clearly fictional. In order to make an exciting police thriller with political elements, the movie abandoned historical accuracy.
Reviewed by jordverburg 6 / 10

Second half saves it

Viewing at IFFR (I pet the director's dog)6.5/10The second half was pretty good. The lead character seemed better in his role and the camerawork was more suitable. A few moments were a great thrill because of the use of sound, music and different angles. Very well done.Not too sure about the first part. The camerawork was too messy. Didn't feel like it was a serious movie about child molesters. Felt like a cheap thriller. The wedding felt a little ridiculous and I didn't think the lead character could carry a movie like this. I thought: bad casting, but, luckily, it got better!Still not sure about the fiction part. Feels like I'm not taking this movie serious because of the partly fictionalized story. I doubt that would be the intention.
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