The Origin of Evil

R

Released Sep 22, 2023

2h 3m

Mystery & Thriller

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List

92%

52 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

When Stéphane (Laure Calamy of Call My Agent!, Full Time) gets in touch with wealthy Serge (Jacques Weber), announcing that she is his long-abandoned daughter, his immediate family are none too thrilled. As Stéphane embarks on an extended visit in hopes of getting to know Serge, she also becomes entangled with the hostile women who share a tense existence in his beautifully appointed mansion by the sea: the restaurateur's wife (Dominique Blanc), his other daughter (Doria Tillier), a rebellious granddaughter (Céleste Brunnquell), and a strangely off-putting housemaid, all of whom are clearly unsettled by the arrival of Serge's newly announced heir. But Stéphane is a confident liar with secrets of her own, which writer-director Sébastien Marnier teases out with cool assurance in this wildly entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

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Critics Consensus

A slow-burning thriller whose twists are held together by a stellar ensemble, The Origin of Evil confirms writer-director Sébastien Marnier as a talent to watch.

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Norm V.

An underrated movie but it deliver beyond expectations. Suspenseful!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Veronica T

Overlong, implausible, complicated to little effect, self-indulgent (was it meant to be ironic?) tho mildly attractive to look at in the boring bits which were frequent. Save your money and use your time to see something else - anything else, almost in my view. If was on TV I'd have switched off.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

Alec B

The screenplay gets way too silly but the movie is still thrilling and fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Daniel G

The Origin of Evil is able to peel back the story of its characters in a surprising and interactive way. The plot does an exciting job of twisting and turning to keep the audience on their feet even until the credits start rolling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Steve P

Sébastien Marnier's French thriller The Origin of Evil tells the tale of Stéphane, a woman on the verge of bankruptcy who tries to get in touch with her wealthy, estranged father and his new family. The film is a slow-burning thriller that keeps the audience on edge with its twists and turns, held together by a stellar ensemble cast. The plot is well-crafted, with a web of lies, secrets, and self-serving schemes that kept me guessing until the end. The theme and tone of the film are dark and twisted, with a touch of black humour that adds to the overall enjoyment of the movie. The acting and characters are the strongest aspects of the film. Laure Calamy delivers a standout performance as Stéphane, a complex and flawed character who is both sympathetic and unsettling. Dominique Blanc is also wonderful in her role as Louise, Stéphane's evil stepmother, and Jacques Weber is convincing as Serge, the patriarch of the family. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with each actor bringing their own unique flair to their respective roles. The direction by Marnier is solid, with extensive use of split-screen that conveys the duplicitous and conniving happenings of the story. The score is also noteworthy, with an unusual but effective use of a pipe organ that adds to the film's eerie atmosphere. The cinematography, production design, and use of colour are all well done, with a unique and unconventional approach that sets the film apart from other thrillers. The film's pacing is slow at times, which did not appeal to me. The editing is also a bit uneven, with some scenes feeling disjointed or unnecessary. However, these minor flaws do not detract from the overall quality of the film. The Origin of Evil is a deliciously twisted thriller that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. The film's exceptional cast, solid direction, and unique style make it a standout entry in the thriller genre. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate a slow-burning, character-driven thriller will find much to enjoy here.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/23

Full Review

Jonathan A

Phenomenal performances, stellar cast and a compelling story. I had to deduct half a star because the film was let down ever so slightly by an abrupt, unexpected and undeveloped ending that unfolds - no, precipitates - within the last few minutes, which leaves the viewer slightly unsatisfied, and doesn't do justice to the rest of the film. Highly recommended nonetheless!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

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Sébastien Marnier

Director

Laure Calamy

Nathalie Cordier

Doria Tillier

George Dumontet

Dominique Blanc

Louise Dumontet

Jacques Weber

Serge Dumontet

Suzanne Clément

Actor

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The Origin of Evil: Trailer 1

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

[An] enjoyably pulpy, devious, Highsmith-esque thriller in which nothing and nobody are quite what they seem.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 31, 2024

Full Review

Cath Clarke

Guardian

Without a doubt this is easy entertainment, never dull, and it has some shrewd things to say about class and money – though the satire might have been sharper and the running time shorter by a good 20 minutes.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 27, 2024

Full Review

Alison Willmore

New York Magazine/Vulture

Everybody in this movie seems to be lying through their teeth. In less sure hands, this could have resulted in annoyance.

Dec 9, 2023

Full Review

Steve Morrissey

Radio Times

While it nods to the misanthropic Patricia Highsmith, The Origin of Evil also boasts some twisty Agatha Christie-style plotting and a touch of Hitchcock glamour.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Hilary A White

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Marnier attains a great feeling of side-stepping and evasion, allowing the juicy reality of the set-up to declare itself gradually.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 4, 2024

Full Review

Gemma Creagh

Film Ireland Magazine

The Origin of Evil is a flavoursome cocktail of Succession mixed with Saltburn garnished in a unique French sensibility.

Apr 4, 2024

Full Review

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Synopsis

When Stéphane (Laure Calamy of Call My Agent!, Full Time) gets in touch with wealthy Serge (Jacques Weber), announcing that she is his long-abandoned daughter, his immediate family are none too thrilled. As Stéphane embarks on an extended visit in hopes of getting to know Serge, she also becomes entangled with the hostile women who share a tense existence in his beautifully appointed mansion by the sea: the restaurateur's wife (Dominique Blanc), his other daughter (Doria Tillier), a rebellious granddaughter (Céleste Brunnquell), and a strangely off-putting housemaid, all of whom are clearly unsettled by the arrival of Serge's newly announced heir. But Stéphane is a confident liar with secrets of her own, which writer-director Sébastien Marnier teases out with cool assurance in this wildly entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

Director: Sébastien Marnier
Screenwriter: Sébastien Marnier
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Avenue B Productions, micro_scope
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Nudity|Language|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $83.8K
Runtime: 2h 3m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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