Arès

France • 2016 • 80m •

• Directed by: Jean-Patrick Benes. • Starring: Ola Rapace, Micha Lescot, Thierry Hancisse, Hélène Fillières, Ruth Vega Fernandez, Eva Lallier, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Élina Solomon, Yvon Martin, Pierre Perrier, Emilie Gavois-Kahn, Jo Prestia, David Migeot. • Music by: Alex Cortés, Christophe Julien.

In the near future, the world order has changed. With 10 million unemployed, France now numbers among the poor. The population, oscillating between revolt and resignation, finds an outlet in ultra-violent televised fights in which the fighters are legally doped and no punches barred. Reda, known as Ares, is a veteran fighter who lives from expedients between second-rate fights and his odd jobs as a police strongman. It's been a while since he's won a match when his coach proposes he tries an experimental drug that could make him win his upcoming fights...

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Trailer

1:47

Review:

Dystopian vision encapsulated in fairly short, yet well served story. It's barebone, it's told consequently, characters are credible (even though stereotypes are used heavily) and the makers managed not only to fit into the story large, unpleasant vision of broken society but also how it influences ordinary people relationships, way of thinking and how burdensome simple decency might be. And the level of world-building details, all of them placed well and presented naturally - oh, it's really great.

Sci-fi was always about warning and exploring possible futures of mankind and cyberpunk sub-genre dwells on particularly disillusioned assessment of human nature. Make no mistake, this is not William Gibson copy, it is original piece and has unique touch to it (Eiffel tower burdened with giant commercial displays is really a view to remember). Yet given how the western society looks like nowadays it continues to underline and repeat the vision of very pessimistic consequences down that path. We can get a glimpse on that terrifying future walking along with Ares, ex professional boxer, riot cop hired for hours whos dream of decent, peaceful life is a corner kiosk. Ares is forced to get back on the ring and well, things go south at some point.

The crates and secured doors. The groceries bought through small slipping hole (so the shop robbery isn't that easy). The shop-keeper speaking through mic and pushing away regular customer, a total negative of still existing cozy small-shop topos with keeper knowing his regulars and chatting with them about their lives. Such details, small touches, consequently presented throughout the movie make this world terrifyingly alive and... possible.

Must see for cyberpunk fans, should see for anyone who likes condensed, yet complete story with good visuals.

Review by lariba-19733 from the Internet Movie Database.