The Foreigner (The Stranger; orig. title: The Stranger) is a 2025 French crime drama film directed by François Ozon from a screenplay by François Ozon. The film premiered in France on 29 October 2025.
„The Foreigner“" is a French drama film based on the classic novel "„Foreigner“" by Albert Camus, published in 1942.
The film was presented in the main program of the 82nd Venice Film Festival in September 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion, one of the most prestigious awards in cinema. It is one of the most discussed European productions of the year, awarded with numerous nominations and recognitions at the Lumière Awards 2026 for Best Film and other categories. The film adapts the philosophical story of the absurd, alienation and fate of an ordinary person, placed in the carousel of injustice and moral unpredictability. The film is shot in black and white, which enhances the aesthetics of the era and the inner state of the main character.
The film follows the life of Meursault, a quiet and emotionally detached young man living in Algeria in 1938. After the death of his mother, he attends her funeral without any visible emotion and returns to his usual routine. Meursault begins a superficial relationship with his colleague Marie, while his life gradually becomes intertwined with that of his neighbor Raymond, who draws him into his own dark plans. However, on a hot day at the beach, a tragic event occurs that completely changes the course of the story and puts Meursault on trial. The film not only tells the story of the crime itself, but also explores the character's internal conflict and moral impartiality, questioning his attitude towards life and society.
Director François Ozon adapts the philosophical text with a clean but highly expressive visual style, using black and white cinematography to further enhance the atmosphere. Ozon emphasizes the distance between the character and the world around him through composition, light, and rhythm. He avoids unnecessary visual effects, opting instead for minimalism and attention to detail that emphasize the emotional and philosophical weight of the story. The director skillfully combines the historical context with the themes of absurdity and alienation that are central to the original novel. This approach makes the film less a crime story and more a profound psychological and moral investigation.
In the central role as Meursault is Benjamin Voisin, which conveys the character's emotional deprivation and inner distancing with precision. Rebecca Marder plays Marie, whose more animated reactions contrast with Meursault's apathy, adding emotional layers to the story. Pierre Lotin, Denny Laban and Swan Arlo play minor but key roles that contribute to the plot and atmosphere. The actors create clean, nuanced portrayals that emphasize both the external and internal dynamics of the characters. Their performances work in unison with the director's vision for a philosophical and emotionally charged film.
„The Foreigner“" is a mature and profound film reading of a classic novel that manages to translate Camus's absurdist themes into a contemporary cinematic context. This film is not just a crime story, but a philosophical exploration of human impartiality and the moral limits of the individual. Ozon's black-and-white vision and directorial sensitivity make the film visually and emotionally impactful. The acting is clean and strongly present, allowing the viewer to enter the complex inner world of the character. For fans of literary adaptations and auteur cinema, this is a significant and memorable title from 2025.
