New Movies: Drone (2024) by Simon Bouisson

"Drone (2024)": A Stalker in the Sky

Description: "Drone (2024)," directed by French filmmaker Simon Bouisson, is a contemporary thriller that delves into themes of surveillance, voyeurism, and the unsettling intrusion of technology into personal space. The film follows Émilie, a young student working as a cam-girl to make ends meet, whose life takes a chilling turn when a mysterious drone begins to stalk her every move.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28590661/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/467824/

About movie: https://www.hautetcourt.com/films/drone/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/drone-2024 (France), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/drone-2024 (Germany)

Detailed Summary: Émilie, a young student, supports herself by working as a cam-girl at night. Her life already involves a degree of exhibitionism and being watched. One evening, an ominous and mysterious drone appears at her apartment window. This is not a one-time incident; from that moment on, the drone persistently reappears whenever Émilie is alone, following her and scrutinizing her every movement.

As the film progresses, the drone's presence escalates from unnerving observation to an increasingly threatening presence. Initially, it might seem like an unsolicited companion or even a source of inspiration, but it soon becomes clear that its motives are sinister, possibly "conspiring with or against her." The film explores Émilie's growing sense of being watched, her loss of privacy, and the psychological terror inflicted by this unidentifiable, airborne stalker. The narrative also places Émilie, a financially strapped transplant living in the Paris suburbs, into a high-powered world when she's chosen for an architecture renovation workshop, where she interacts with classmates from wealthy backgrounds, further intertwining her personal life with potentially public exposure. The film highlights how a world saturated with surveillance, from cam-girl work to phone cameras, creates a fertile ground for such an intrusion.

Plot Summary:

• Émilie, a young student and cam-girl, is being financially strapped.

• A mysterious and silent drone appears at her apartment window.

• The drone subsequently follows and watches her whenever she is alone.

• Its presence becomes increasingly unsettling and threatening.

• Émilie's life, already involved in exhibitionism through her work, becomes further complicated by this constant surveillance, potentially tying into her interactions in an elite architecture workshop.

The plot is a psychological thriller focused on a young woman being stalked by a drone.

Director's Vision: Simon Bouisson directs "Drone" and co-wrote the screenplay with Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, and Gilles Marchand. Bouisson has a history of exploring contemporary societal issues and technology in his work, including web series like "Wei or Die." For "Drone," his vision appears to be to create a suspenseful and topical film that reflects on the pervasive nature of surveillance and the blurred lines between public and private in the digital age. He aims to evoke a sense of unease and paranoia as the protagonist's personal space is invaded by this relentless technological observer. The film likely utilizes a modern visual style to convey the omnipresent gaze of the drone.

Themes:

• Surveillance and Voyeurism: The central theme revolves around being constantly watched and the psychological impact of such intrusion.

• Loss of Privacy: The film explores how technology erodes personal boundaries and the right to be left alone.

• Technology's Dark Side: The drone, a tool of modernity, is depicted as an instrument of fear and control.

• Exhibitionism: The protagonist's work as a cam-girl sets a context for being seen, which is then twisted by the drone's unsolicited gaze.

• Psychological Thriller: The narrative focuses on the mental distress and paranoia of the victim.

• Social Class: Émilie's financial struggles and her interactions with wealthy classmates in the workshop potentially add a layer of social commentary to the surveillance theme.

Key Success Factors (Anticipated):

• Topical Relevance: Themes of drone technology, surveillance, and online privacy are highly current.

• Suspenseful Premise: The idea of being stalked by an unknown drone is inherently chilling.

• Marion Barbeau's Performance: As the central character, her portrayal of Émilie's terror and resilience would be crucial.

• Director's Aptitude for Modern Thrillers: Simon Bouisson's background suggests a strong understanding of contemporary social anxieties.

• Visual Aesthetics: The film's depiction of the drone's perspective and its interaction with Émilie's environment will be key to creating atmosphere.

Summary Short: Simon Bouisson's "Drone (2024)" is a French drama-thriller about Émilie, a young cam-girl whose life becomes a nightmare when a mysterious drone begins to relentlessly follow and stalk her. Starring Marion Barbeau, the film explores themes of surveillance, privacy, and the dark side of technology, and was released in France on October 2, 2024.

Simon Bouisson's film "Drone" (2024) is a French thriller that explores themes of surveillance, voyeurism, and the challenges of privacy in a technologically advanced society. It's Bouisson's first feature film, building on his experience with interactive TV thrillers.

Plot Summary

"Drone" centers on Émilie (Marion Barbeau), a young architecture student who has recently arrived in Paris. To make ends meet, she works as a cam-girl at night, a secret she keeps from everyone, including her new girlfriend, Mina (Eugénie Derouand). One evening, a mysterious drone appears at her apartment window. From that point on, whenever Émilie is alone, the drone appears and relentlessly follows her. Initially intrigued by this unconventional presence, Émilie begins to form a strange relationship with the drone. However, as the drone's presence becomes increasingly intrusive and menacing, Émilie realizes she is being stalked and attempts to escape its grip, only to find herself trapped in a world where technology blurs the lines between observation and invasion. The film delves into her desperate efforts to uncover the identity of the drone's operator.

Critics Reception

"Drone" has received a generally positive critical reception, particularly for its timely themes and effective execution of a tense atmosphere.

• Cineuropa: Fabien Lemercier, in his review for Cineuropa, praised "Drone" as an "original first feature that is both an emancipatory tale and a thriller set in a modern-day society plagued by voyeuristic technology." He highlighted how Bouisson "totally revitalises the use (often over-trivialised) of this technology in the film world" and commended the "splendid yet oppressive nocturnal sequences." While he noted that the film might try to "inject a few too many suggestions than its remit allows," he concluded that its "chilling mirror 'Drone' holds up to our society, its visual tours de force and its remarkable music... make it worth far more than a fleeting glance."

• Leeds International Film Festival: The festival's description of the film noted Bouisson's ability to bring "the haunting immersion of his interactive TV thrillers to his first feature film." It emphasized the "tense Paris-set thriller about the invasive gaze of new technology," where Émilie becomes "increasingly disturbed by a mysterious drone."

• Image+Nation: This festival review highlighted how the film "plunges the audience into the paranoid world of surveillance stalking." It praised the film as "more than just a taut thriller; it's a riveting investigation of the male gaze through the lens of our current crop of tech innovations."

• IMDb (User Ratings): While not a traditional critic site, user ratings on IMDb (currently 5.5/10 based on 188 ratings as of late May 2024) suggest a mixed, though leaning towards positive, reception from the general audience who have seen it in early festival screenings.

Summary of Critic Reception: Critics generally view "Drone" as a relevant and unsettling thriller that effectively uses modern technology to explore themes of privacy, surveillance, and the dehumanizing aspects of voyeurism. Simon Bouisson is commended for his strong directorial debut, creating a tense atmosphere with visually striking cinematography. The film's engagement with the "male gaze" and its implications in a digital age has also been noted as a significant aspect. While some suggest it might be slightly ambitious in its thematic scope, the overall consensus is that "Drone" is a compelling and thought-provoking film that offers a fresh take on the paranoia of being watched.

Reviews

As "Drone" is a relatively new film, having had its premiere at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival in August 2024 and a general release in France on October 2, 2024, widespread mainstream reviews from major international publications are still emerging. However, early festival reviews and specialized film sites provide initial insights.

• Cineuropa (Review): Beyond the critical reception mentioned above, Cineuropa's full review delves into the film's narrative nuances, such as Émilie's "camming" work and the two distinct drones that impact her life. The reviewer specifically highlights the "splendid yet oppressive nocturnal sequences" and the film's underlying metaphors, suggesting a depth beyond a simple thriller.

• Film Festival Reviews (e.g., Leeds, Frameline, Image+Nation): Reviews from film festivals, where "Drone" has been screened, tend to focus on its genre elements as a "taut thriller" while also emphasizing its social commentary. These reviews often praise Marion Barbeau's performance as Émilie and the film's ability to create a sense of unease and paranoia. They frequently mention the film's exploration of themes like vulnerability, control, and the digital gaze.

• IMDb (User Reviews): While limited, user reviews often highlight the film's suspenseful nature and its exploration of privacy in the modern age. Some viewers find it to be a gripping and thought-provoking experience, while others might critique aspects of the pacing or character development.

Summary of Reviews: The available reviews indicate that "Drone" is recognized for its ambition to combine genre thrills with social commentary. Reviewers generally appreciate the film's visual style, its ability to generate tension, and its exploration of the increasingly pervasive role of technology in our lives. The film's depiction of Émilie's journey, from curiosity to terror, is often a central point of discussion. While individual preferences might lead to varying degrees of enjoyment, the consensus suggests that "Drone" is a relevant and well-crafted film that offers a chilling look at the contemporary anxieties surrounding surveillance and personal freedom.

Production: "Drone (2024)" is a French production. It was directed by Simon Bouisson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Fanny Burdino, Samuel Doux, and Gilles Marchand. The film stars Marion Barbeau as Émilie. Other cast members include Eugénie Derouand (Mina), Cédric Kahn (Richard), Stefan Crepon (Olivier), Bilel Chegrani (Coddy), and Alysson Paradis (Zéna). Ludovic Zuili is the cinematographer, and Paul Sabin is credited with the music. The film's primary production company is Haut et Court, with co-production from France 2 Cinéma and StudioCanal. It has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes (110 minutes).

Production Companies:

• Haut et Court (France)

• France 2 Cinéma (France)

• StudioCanal (France)

Distribution Companies:

• France: Haut et Court (Theatrical)

Specific distribution in other countries would depend on sales agreements.

Release Date on Streaming: A specific streaming release date for "Drone (2024)" is not readily available. Its availability on streaming platforms would depend on regional distribution deals following its theatrical release.

Theatrical Release: "Drone (2024)" was released theatrically in France on October 2, 2024.

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Topical and Thought-Provoking: Explores highly relevant themes of surveillance and technology's impact on privacy.

• Suspenseful Thriller: Promises a tense and unsettling viewing experience.

• Director's Unique Style: Simon Bouisson's previous work suggests an intriguing approach to modern narratives.

• International Cinema: An opportunity to experience a contemporary French thriller.

• Strong Central Performance: The film relies heavily on Marion Barbeau's portrayal of Émilie's escalating fear.

Why to Watch Movie:

• If You Are Concerned About Privacy and Surveillance: The film offers a fictionalized, yet chilling, look at these issues.

• Enjoy Psychological Thrillers: If you prefer films that build tension through character's mental states rather than just overt action.

• Interested in the Dark Side of Technology: Explore how advanced tech can be used for sinister purposes.

• For Fans of Contemporary French Cinema: See a recent example of a genre film from France.

• Curious About Unique Premises: The concept of a personal drone stalker is quite distinctive.

What Movie Trend film is Following: Techno-Thrillers / Surveillance Dramas / Psychological Thrillers / Social Commentary through Genre: The film aligns with the growing trend of techno-thrillers that use modern technology (drones, pervasive cameras) as a source of conflict and anxiety. It also fits within the subgenre of psychological thrillers and serves as a vehicle for social commentary on privacy and voyeurism in the digital age.

What Big Social Trend is Following: Growing Concerns About Privacy and Digital Surveillance: The film directly taps into the widespread and increasing anxieties about personal data, ubiquitous cameras (CCTV, smartphones), and the potential for drone technology to be used for malicious purposes. It reflects a societal unease about who is watching and for what reasons.

Final Verdict: "Drone (2024)," directed by Simon Bouisson, positions itself as a timely and unsettling French thriller that capitalizes on contemporary anxieties surrounding surveillance and privacy. Its compelling premise—a young woman stalked by a mysterious drone—promises a psychological journey into paranoia and the erosion of personal space. While detailed critical reception and box office figures are not yet widely available, the film's strong thematic foundation, combined with Bouisson's track record in exploring modern social issues, suggests a thought-provoking and suspenseful experience. For audiences interested in the darker implications of technology and the escalating challenges to individual privacy, "Drone" offers a chillingly relevant narrative.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Utilize Topical Technology: The film effectively uses drone technology as a central antagonist, demonstrating how contemporary tech can be integrated into compelling genre narratives.

• Build Suspense Through Psychological Intrusion: Focus on the mental impact of surveillance and the protagonist's internal struggle to create sustained tension.

• Explore Blurred Lines of Privacy: The protagonist's profession as a cam-girl provides a nuanced starting point for discussing public vs. private in a digital world.

• Embrace Social Commentary within Genre: Use the thriller format to subtly or overtly comment on relevant societal issues.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Invest in Timely, Technology-Driven Thrillers: Films that tap into current anxieties about technology can resonate strongly with audiences.

• Support International Genre Filmmaking: Recognize the potential of non-English language films to tackle universal themes with fresh perspectives.

• Champion Directors with a Social Conscience: Filmmakers like Simon Bouisson, who use genre to explore societal issues, offer valuable contributions.

• Consider Diverse Distribution Models: For films like "Drone," a combination of limited theatrical runs and robust digital/VOD strategies may be most effective.