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Netflix's new French-language action thriller Ad Vitam has an interesting title, and its English translation carries a lot of meaning for the film. Ad Vitam is the newest John Wick-esque action movie from Netflix, and it's already climbed to the top of the streaming service's charts. Its popularity is likely due to its sleek action, but the cast of Ad Vitam and the star power of its French actors likely helped as well. While it may not be one of the best action movies on Netflix, Ad Vitam certainly makes for an entertaining watch.

For all of Ad Vitam's popularity, it didn't have the same success with critics or audiences. Ad Vitam has a critics score of 36% and an audience score of 35% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many of the reviewers criticized the movie's threadbare plot and the way the flashbacks slowed down the pace of the film. The meaning of the movie's title,...

Netflix's latest movie, Ad Vitam, includes a small ensemble of talented French actors. Directed by Rodolphe Lauga, the Netflix international movie is currently the number one non-English film on the streaming platform. Ad Vitam follows Franck, a former member of the elite French tactical police, the Gign, as he is forced to delve into his past after his pregnant wife is kidnapped. While Ad Vitam uses a similar plotline that several films in the genre employ, it sets itself apart with its action and incredible performances from its cast.

Since most of the actors in Ad Vitam are French, they might not be familiar to an American audience, but they've featured in several French movies and TV Shows. The Netflix action movie is engaging from start to finish, with an intense storyline that makes audiences root for the primary protagonist. Although there's a lot to like about Ad Vitam,...

Ad Vitam has been climbing Netflix's charts, leaving some viewers confused by the film's title. The title of the movie is almost as mysterious as the film's plot, which follows a former police officer who has to save his wife from kidnappers. The chase sends him through France, and he has to use his officer skills to track down the officers while also avoiding being framed.

The French thriller's action-packed sequences and conspiracy-centered plot make the film's historically based name even more intriguing. The title comes from a mixture of ancient Rome and legal terms throughout history, which seems odd for a thriller. However, the meaning of Ad Vitam connects very closely to what happens in the movie and has a deeper meaning that some viewers might miss.

Ad Vitam ThrillerDramaCrimeAction

Release Date January 10, 2025Runtime 97 minutesCast Guillaume Canet, Alexis Manenti, Stéphane Caillard, Nassim Lyes, Zita Hanrot, Johan Heldenbergh, Etienne Guillou-Kervern...

There's a new action movie trending on Netflix at the moment, and after hearing what it's about, it is hard to deny the fact that the John Wick series has significantly changed the action genre. Originating in 2014, John Wick is a neo-noir action franchise centering on the titular character, John Wick, who returns to his previous life as a hitman after gang members kill his puppy. Although this premise may seem somewhat silly, John Wick has managed to explode into a highly popular action series. Thus far, there are four main John Wick films and an upcoming spinoff, Ballerina.

Because John Wick has expanded considerably since 2014, it isn't entirely surprising that the franchise is still affecting the action genre. John Wick: Chapter 4 came out to incredible acclaim in 2023, and Ballerina is one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2025. However, even then, John Wick's influence has brought along some...

Directed by Rodolphe Lauga, the French action thriller Ad Vitam challenges expectations, often making you question whether it truly feels like a French production. While it boasts an intense climactic fight sequence that teeters on the edge of absurdity, the film’s conventional and predictable plot—centered on a government mission gone awry—dampens its energy well before the finale.

The story follows Franck, a former elite Gign operative, whose turbulent past catches up with him when his wife, Leo, is abducted. Forced into a high-stakes game of survival, Franck must deliver a closely guarded secret to secure Leo’s release. The tension is palpable, but as the narrative progresses, a pressing question lingers: Will Franck sacrifice everything, including the secret, to save the woman he loves? Let’s unravel the answer.

Spoilers Ahead.

Ad Vitam (2025) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis What Happens to Leo?

Leo, a former Gign operative,...

The French action film “Ad Vitam” came out of nowhere to become the biggest movie on Netflix at the start of 2025.

“Ad Vitam” beat out a number of film classics and nostalgic movies to climb to the top of Netflix’s Top 10 ranking since it’s debut on Jan. 10. The film is certain to scratch the itch for action movie lovers – particularly those who adored Liam Neeson’s “Taken” franchise.

Here is what you need to know about “Ad Vitam” before you check it out for yourself.

What is ‘Ad Vitam’ about?

“Ad Vitam” follows a counterterrorism agent for the French national police called Gign who has fallen from grace right as he’s embroiled in a mission involving the kidnapping of his pregnant wife. Here’s the official synopsis of the film:

“After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazareff must find his wife Leo, who has been kidnapped by...

Netflix's latest action thriller hit has audiences wondering what exactly its cryptic title means. 

Named Ad Vitam, the new French-language film follows in the footsteps of movies like Under Paris, marking another streaming hit mega-hit out of the European nation. 

The movie follows a French man named Franck as his past comes to bite him when his pregnant wife, Leo is kidnapped for (what seems at the time) no reason. 

Read full article on The Direct.