French Film Review: Les Fantômes

This gripping geopolitical thriller, which was inspired by true events, follows Hamid (Adam Bessa), who, two years after his release from Syria’s Sednaya Prison, is struggling to rebuild his life in Strasbourg.

While working as a construction labourer, Hamid is haunted by the memories of his imprisonment and the man who tortured him. Set on revenge, he secretly joins a covert group dedicated to tracking down fugitive war criminals from the Syrian regime. But when his personal mission brings him face-to-face with his former torturer, Hamid is forced to confront the real cost of vengeance. When it premiered at Cannes, Les Fantômes (Ghost Trail) received critical acclaim for its tense, immersive storytelling. Jonathan Millet, making his fiction feature debut, brings a documentary-like authenticity to the film, shaped by his years of extensive research into real-life underground networks that pursue war criminals in Europe. His meticulous attention to detail lends the narrative an urgent realism, elevating it beyond the bog-standard revenge thriller.

Adam Bessa’s performance as Hamid is a standout, earning him a César nomination for Best Male Newcomer, while the film also received a César nomination for Best First Film. With its taught direction, fluid camera work and gripping sound design, which heightens the emotional and psychological tension, Les Fantômes is a riveting exploration of trauma, justice and the lasting scars of war. It also digs deep into the moral dilemmas faced by migrants as they fight to reclaim their lives, and challenges audiences to question their role in a world where justice is too often a luxury.

Director: Jonathan Millet

Starring: Adam Bessa, Tawfeek Barhom, Julia Franz Richter

From France Today Magazine