Maldoror

I grew up in Charleroi, along with this story and for a long time, it left me with a sense of disgust.

This film, however, is a fiction 'inspired by the reak events, not a documentary. I appreciated the creative liberties taken with the real story as well as the beautiful depiction of the setting.

Watching it made me realize just how photogenic my childhood city is and how warm ans vibrant its people are.

As for the negative reviews, they likely come from people who lack an understanding of cinematic art or the complexities of this period in our lives.

Maldoror succeeds in capturing both the soul of the city and the emotional depth of its story.

Another film that I have to recommend. Saw it yesterday. The film is based on real events. A very exciting film that lasts throughout the entire film. Very well-acted film by the entire ensemble and a wonderful reunion of actress Beatrice Dalle. Who dares to forget the film Betty Blue 37.2 sur le matin? Absolutely not me anyway. The film takes us through a police case that eluded Belgium for a time and the cooperation between different police districts that was not the best. The film is exciting throughout and very intense tension in some parts. Very worth seeing if you like this kind of films.

I know it should be called "if you can" ... and I reckon that would have worked too ... but I decided to go that way ... still no pun intended. The movie is based on a real story - and me not having any idea what happened back in the 90s ... and from what I understand this takes a lot of creative licenses ... with who did what to whom ... who survived and who didn't ... and I assume the main character (police/gendarmerie) is an amalgamation of many characters into one - I could obviously be wrong, but I would not be surprised if that was the case.

That said, the movie might be long (2,5 hours), but it never really feels that way. Well maybe during the wedding stuff at the beginning ... been there, done and know that. Greeks party similar - like the Italians ... is this necessary for the story? I would argue not ... but maybe I am missing something.

The thrilling part is really well done ... you feel with the main character ... a lot of things go wrong ... he has the right eye, he has the right "nose" ... but will he be able to convince others of that? A lot of departments working almost against each other ... this is well told and acted ... still for me a factor x is missing to make this go over the top ... as many praises as it has gotten ... and as good as it is ... the last push is missing ... a bit more charisma maybe ... more tension throughout ... and so forth.

Inspired by horrifying crimes of infamous Belgian serial killer and child molester Marc Dutroux, "Maldoror" uses that case as a cornerstone to concoct a wholly fictionalised police procedural around, one that follows a young, hotheaded cop whose obsessive nature regarding the case threatens to destroy not only his career but but his entire life as well.

This film just flew by, even with a runtime two and a half hours I found myself fully engaged all the way through (it could have been longer for all I cared) The entire production as a whole is also a triumph, the grimy locations, disintegrating cityscape, disheveled characters and the ever greyed sky above it all sets an amazing backdrop for the dark and depressing story playing out on the screen.

Additionally the performances from the actors are all equally great, so why not a higher rating for this film?

Well, there's some very obvious script problems plaguing this movie, which along with a basic lack of originality or subtlety in regard to the material, severely compromise its many appealing qualities.

The movie starts off with incredibly momentum only to squander a lot of that goodwill when the second half takes a turn down a slightly more ludicrous path, stocking up on needless melodrama and questionable character attributes along the way, which doesn't really take away the watchability in the here and now, but does leave a bit of a sour taste when the movie is over.

But this is still a great watch for crime fans and while the material may seem dark and to some even distasteful (child abduction, pedophilia) I found it to be handled in a way in which it shouldn't be too difficult for the more mainstream audience members to watch along.

So, if you're able to ignore the aforementioned points of criticism, It's ultimately a very effective thriller that awaits you.

Fabrice du Welz's "Maldoror" is a brutal and unflinching dive into a world of moral decay. The film is a visceral and punishing experience. A relentless sense of dread and a suffocatingly grim atmosphere propel the narrative forward. Du Welz masterfully creates a claustrophobic and unsettling environment.

This is not a conventional horror or thriller. Instead, "Maldoror" functions as a psychological endurance test. It explores the darkest aspects of human nature with a cold, direct gaze. At 155 minutes, the film can feel long. However, its unflinching look at systemic issues and moral ambiguity is compelling. The film avoids simple answers. It meditates on how broken systems can push people toward questionable choices.

Is It Worth Watching? Yes, but with a strong warning. This film is a powerful and disturbing work of art. It is a skillfully crafted thriller for viewers who appreciate challenging, morally complex crime dramas. The heavy subject matter and extreme content demand emotional resilience. It is definitely not for the faint of heart.