The Innocent (L’Innocent)

Directed by Louis Garrel (France, 2022, 99 min.). French with English subtitles.

Widowed marine biologist Abel (Louis Garrel) freaks out when he learns that his impulsive mother (Anouk Grinberg) is marrying a prison inmate. Doubting that the convicted burglar (Roschdy Zem) is capable of putting his life of crime behind him, Abel begins tailing his new stepfather with the help of his flighty best friend (the sensational Noémie Merlant of Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Tár). Their amateur sleuthing is quickly uncovered and triggers an outlandish business proposition. With a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, this crowd-pleasing comedy received fifteen César Award nominations, including for Best Film, and took home prizes for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Comedy.

Watch the trailer.