New Movies: How to Make a Killing (2024) by Franck Dubosc

How to Make a Killing (2024) by Franck Dubosc: A Black Comedy of Errors and Ill-Gotten Gains

Franck Dubosc, the renowned French actor and director, returns with How to Make a Killing (original French title: Un ours dans le Jura - "A Bear in the Jura"), a darkly comedic thriller that premiered at various festivals in late 2024 before its widespread French theatrical release on January 1, 2025. Co-written and directed by Dubosc, the film plunges a seemingly ordinary couple into a spiraling nightmare of cover-ups and escalating absurdity after a fateful car crash.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33984333/

Link Review: https://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org/film/how-to-make-a-killing

About movie: https://www.gaumont.com/fr/film/un-ours-dans-le-jura

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/un-ours-dans-le-jura (France), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/how-to-make-a-killing (Canada)

I am still unable to find any public information regarding a movie titled "How to Make a Killing (2024)" directed by Franck Dubosc.

My repeated and thorough searches across various film databases, industry news, and public records associated with Franck Dubosc's filmography (as a director or in upcoming projects for 2024/2025) have yielded no relevant results.

Franck Dubosc is a well-known French actor and director, with directorial credits including Tout le monde debout (2018) and Rumba la vie (2022). However, there are no announcements or listings for a new film directed by him in 2024 or 2025 under the title "How to Make a Killing." Furthermore, searches for films with this title by any director for 2024 or 2025 also do not produce any widely recognized results.

It is possible that:

• The film title or director's name may be slightly different.

• The project is in a very early stage of development and has not yet been publicly announced.

• It might be a smaller, localized production not extensively listed in major databases.

As such, I cannot provide a detailed breakdown of this specific film.

How to Make a Killing (2024) by Franck Dubosc: A Black Comedy of Errors and Ill-Gotten Gains

Franck Dubosc, the renowned French actor and director, returns with How to Make a Killing (original French title: Un ours dans le Jura - "A Bear in the Jura"), a darkly comedic thriller that premiered at various festivals in late 2024 before its widespread French theatrical release on January 1, 2025. Co-written and directed by Dubosc, the film plunges a seemingly ordinary couple into a spiraling nightmare of cover-ups and escalating absurdity after a fateful car crash.

Detailed Summary

How to Make a Killing centers on Michel (Franck Dubosc) and Cathy (Laure Calamy), a married couple whose lives have become monotonous and financially strained. Their quiet, unassuming existence in the snowy forests of the Jura mountains is irrevocably shattered one wintry Christmas Eve. Michel, attempting to avoid a black bear that suddenly appears on the road, crashes into another car, accidentally killing its two occupants.

Instead of reporting the accident, a panicked Michel flees the scene. His long-suffering wife, Cathy, an avid reader of crime novels, quickly points out the obvious: with his fingerprints all over the deceased's car, suspicion will inevitably fall on him. But their situation takes a far more dangerous and enticing turn when they discover two million euros in used bills and a gun in the trunk of the victims' car.

Driven by a mix of fear, desperation, and burgeoning greed, Michel and Cathy decide to cover up the incident and keep the money. Their bumbling attempts to conceal their crime lead them down an increasingly absurd and perilous path. As they stumble upon an unexplained trail of other dead bodies and find their initially clumsy cover-up efforts attracting the unwanted attention of local, seemingly feckless gendarmes, the couple's once-monotonous life descends into a chaotic avalanche of lies. The film becomes a journey full of twists where nothing is as it seems, blurring the lines between justice, culpability, and the surprising lengths ordinary people will go to avoid suspicion and secure their illicit gains.

Plot Summary

Michel and Cathy, a couple struggling with financial difficulties and a stagnant marriage, accidentally kill two strangers and discover €2 million in cash after Michel crashes their car to avoid a bear. They decide to cover up the accident and keep the money, leading them into a series of increasingly dangerous and absurd situations as they try to evade detection by local police.

Director's Vision

Franck Dubosc, co-writing with Sarah Kaminsky, directs How to Make a Killing as a black comedy with strong thriller elements, often compared to a "faux film noir" or even the Coen Brothers' Fargo. His vision was to craft a film that is both "hilarious and gently nerve-wracking," using the escalating absurdity of the couple's predicament to deliver a "scathing allegory of our ruthless modern societies." Dubosc aims for a story that is not just a simple crime comedy but a journey full of twists where "nothing is as it seems," exploring the ethical dilemmas and human fallibility of characters pushed to their limits. He focuses on the visual atmosphere of the snowy Jura region, which adds to the icy mood of the dark comedy.

Themes

• Greed and Temptation: The sudden discovery of a large sum of money triggers a moral crisis and leads to a descent into criminality.

• Consequences of Decisions: The film explores how one bad decision can rapidly snowball into a series of increasingly dire and absurd circumstances.

• Moral Compromise: The protagonists, initially ordinary, find themselves making choices that blur the lines of right and wrong.

• Marital Dynamics Under Pressure: The extreme situation forces Michel and Cathy to confront their strained relationship and rediscover communication, albeit in a highly unusual context.

• Black Comedy and Absurdity: The juxtaposition of horrific events with comedic, often clumsy, reactions creates a darkly humorous tone.

• Incompetence vs. Hidden Talent: The local gendarmes, initially appearing bumbling, might be more astute than they seem, adding to the suspense.

Key Success Factors

• Genre Blend: The film's unique blend of dark comedy, crime thriller, and elements of film noir has been highlighted by critics.

• Strong Cast: The pairing of Franck Dubosc and Laure Calamy (known for Call My Agent!) as the central couple, supported by acclaimed actors like Benoît Poelvoorde, promises compelling performances.

• Intriguing Premise: The "accidental killing and found money" setup provides immediate narrative hooks and high stakes.

• Director's Evolution: Critics noted a "creative upturn" for Dubosc as a director, suggesting a more mature and distinct cinematic voice in this film.

• Atmospheric Setting: The snowy, isolated Jura mountains provide a fittingly chilling backdrop for the dark events.

Cast

• Franck Dubosc as Michel

• Laure Calamy as Cathy

• Benoît Poelvoorde

• Joséphine de Meaux

• Kim Higelin

• Mehdi Meskar

• Emmanuelle Devos

• Selections:

  • Malaga French Film Festival (Spain, 2024)

  • Leeds International Film Festival (UK, 2024) - UK Premiere

  • Arras Film Festival (France, 2024)

  • Cinemania Film Festival (Canada, 2024) - Canadian Premiere

  • Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris (2025)

  • New Zealand French Film Festival Aotearoa (2025)

  • Istanbul Film Festival (2025)

  • Festival du cinéma français en Israël (2025)

Critics Reception

Critics have generally praised How to Make a Killing as an effective and entertaining dark comedy-thriller.

• Comparisons to Fargo: Multiple reviews draw parallels to the Coen Brothers' work, particularly Fargo, for its blend of crime, dark humor, and escalating absurdities in a snowy setting.

• Director's Growth: Many noted a "creative upturn" for Franck Dubosc in his directorial work, suggesting a departure from his more conventional comedies and a successful venture into a grittier, more nuanced genre.

• Performances: The cast, especially Dubosc and Calamy, received positive mentions for their portrayals of the couple navigating their ethical quagmire.

• Atmosphere: The film's ability to blend humor with a tense, often chilling atmosphere was appreciated.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics have received How to Make a Killing positively, hailing it as a well-executed black comedy thriller. They lauded Franck Dubosc's directorial evolution, the compelling performances of the cast, and the film's successful blending of dark humor with suspense, drawing comparisons to classic crime comedies.

Reviews

Audience reviews for How to Make a Killing largely echo critical sentiment, finding the film to be a captivating and humorous take on a dire situation. Viewers enjoyed the escalating chaos and the moral dilemmas faced by the main characters. The performances, particularly the chemistry between Dubosc and Calamy, have been a highlight for audiences.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that How to Make a Killing is a highly entertaining dark comedy that effectively balances humor with suspense, appealing to audiences looking for a film with unexpected twists and engaging performances.

Box Office

As of May 2025, How to Make a Killing has accumulated a worldwide gross of approximately $10.87 million. This includes its initial theatrical run in France (starting January 1, 2025), where it had a strong opening. International releases are ongoing throughout 2025, contributing to its cumulative gross.

Production

• Director: Franck Dubosc

• Writers: Franck Dubosc, Sarah Kaminsky (adaptation and dialogue)

• Producers: Sidonie Dumas (Executive Producer, Gaumont), Franck Dubosc (Co-Producer), Marc Vadé (Line Producer), Bastien Sirodot, Cédric Iland (Foreign Producers)

• Cinematography: Ludovic Colbeau-Justin, Dominique Fausset

• Music Composer: Sylvain Goldberg

• Editor: Audrey Simonaud

• Production Companies: Gaumont, Pour Toi Public Productions, France 2 Cinéma, Umedia (Belgium - co-production)

• Production Countries: France, Belgium

• Language: French (with English subtitles for international releases)

• Running Time: 109 minutes (1 hour 49 minutes)

• Filming Locations: Les Rousses, Jura, France (on location), other locations in France.

Sales Companies

• Gaumont (Film exports/foreign sales)

Distribution Companies

• Gaumont (French distribution)

• TVA Films (Quebec, Canada)

• Athena Films (Belgium)

• JMH Distributions SA (French-speaking Switzerland, German-speaking Switzerland)

• Cine Mundo (Portugal)

• Ro-Image 2000 (Romania)

• Russian World Vision (Russia)

• A Contracorriente Films (Spain)

• Svoe Kino (Ukraine)

• Various distributors for film festivals globally.

Release Date on Streaming

How to Make a Killing has been released on VOD platforms (Video On Demand) in France following its theatrical window. It is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Canal VOD, FILMO, VIVA BY VIDEOFUTUR, and PREMIERE MAX. Streaming dates in other territories will vary following their respective theatrical and digital release windows.

Theatrical Release

How to Make a Killing had its French theatrical release on January 1, 2025.

It also had premiere screenings and festival appearances in late 2024, including:

• October 13, 2024: Malaga French Film Festival (Spain)

• November 3, 2024: Leeds International Film Festival (United Kingdom)

• November 10, 2024: Arras Film Festival (France)

• November 14, 2024: Cinemania Film Festival (Canada)

• November 16, 2024: vOilah! French Film Festival (Singapore)

International theatrical releases are scheduled throughout 2025, with dates varying by country.

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Darkly Hilarious: If you enjoy comedies that push boundaries and find humor in morally ambiguous situations.

• Unexpected Twists: The film promises a journey full of surprises and an escalating plot that keeps you guessing.

• Strong Ensemble Cast: Featuring top French talent like Franck Dubosc, Laure Calamy, and Benoît Poelvoorde, ensuring compelling performances.

• Director's Evolution: A chance to see Franck Dubosc's continued growth as a filmmaker, venturing into a new and darker comedic territory.

• "Fargo"-esque Vibe: Appeals to fans of films that blend crime, dark humor, and a touch of absurdity in a compelling narrative.

Why to Watch Movie

• For a Good Laugh with a Dark Twist: If you're in the mood for a comedy that isn't afraid to explore the darker side of human nature.

• To See Franck Dubosc in a Different Light: Experience the popular comedian tackling a more complex, morally ambiguous role as both actor and director.

• Engaging Plot: The premise of a couple's desperate cover-up after a fatal accident and a discovery of money is inherently thrilling.

• Atmospheric Setting: The snowy Jura mountains provide a unique and fitting backdrop for the unfolding chaos.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

How to Make a Killing aligns with the trend of "Dark Comedies" and "Crime Comedies," often featuring ordinary people caught in extraordinary, illicit circumstances (e.g., Fargo, Burn After Reading). It also follows the trend of "Actor-Turned-Director" projects, where established actors are given the opportunity to helm more ambitious and genre-bending films.

What Big Social Trend is Following

The film indirectly touches on the social trend of "Economic Precarity" and the desperate measures individuals might take when faced with financial hardship. It also speaks to the universal human fascination with "Moral Dilemmas" and the blurred lines between right and wrong when personal survival or gain is at stake, reflecting a societal interest in the darker side of human nature.

Final Verdict

How to Make a Killing is a smart, darkly comedic thriller that showcases Franck Dubosc's evolving talent as both an actor and a director. With its intriguing premise, a stellar cast led by Dubosc and Laure Calamy, and a penchant for escalating absurdity, the film delivers a compelling and often hilarious journey into the world of accidental criminals. Its blend of sharp humor with genuine tension and a visually atmospheric setting makes it a standout entry in the dark comedy genre for 2024-2025. For audiences looking for a clever and entertaining film that is both funny and suspenseful, How to Make a Killing is a definite recommendation.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Master Tone: Skillfully blend genres like comedy and thriller, ensuring that the humor enhances the tension rather than detracting from it.

• Embrace Moral Ambiguity: Creating characters who make questionable choices can lead to more complex and engaging narratives.

• Collaborate with Strong Writers: A solid screenplay with sharp dialogue and intricate plotting is crucial for this type of genre blend.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Actor-Directors in New Genres: Encourage established actors to explore different genres in their directorial ventures, as it can lead to fresh perspectives and successful films.

• Invest in Dark Comedy: Recognize the audience appetite for comedies that are willing to tackle heavier themes and explore human flaws with a humorous, yet insightful, touch.

• Promote International Genre Cinema: Films like this demonstrate the global appeal of well-crafted genre pieces, especially when they offer unique cultural perspectives.