In this shockingly confident debut, filmmaker Xavier Legrand weaves a thrilling tale of a mother seeking protection for herself and her children from her allegedly abusive ex-husband. Despite his ex-wife Miriam’s claims and his intimidating build and eerily silent demeanor at the custody hearing, Antoine (Denis Ménochet, Inglorious Basterds) is revered as a gentle and kind man in testimonials from his colleagues and friends. Yet a disturbing letter attributed to their 11-year-old son, Julien, paints a far different picture: that of a rage-fueled monster of a man. At an impasse due to lack of evidence, and much to the horror of Miriam (Léa Drucker, The Blue Room), the judge grants weekend visits to Antoine.

Legrand expertly stages increasingly intense encounters between father and son, playing with the audience’s emotions and expectations of Antoine’s true nature. This breathtaking film boasts phenomenal performances, including from young Thomas Gioria who is a revelation as Julien.

Winner: Silver Lion Best Director, Lion of the Future, Venice