Summary
- The Origin of Evil is a satirical thriller that explores themes of family, patriarchy, and deception in a tense household.
- Stéphane’s revelation as Serge’s long-lost daughter disrupts his wealthy family and their lives in a seaside mansion.
- The film received praise for its twisty, subversive narrative and is set to captivate audiences with its dark comedy and thought-provoking themes.
Sebastien Marnier, the acclaimed director behind School’s Out and Faultless, has come up with a new satirical thriller that delves into themes of family, patriarchy, and deception. The Origin of Evil stars Laure Calamy as Stéphane, a woman who reconnects with her supposedly estranged father, Serge, played by Jacques Weber, as he approaches the end of his life. Following its premiere at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, the film went on to win the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at Frameline47.
Per IndieWire, the plot revolves around Stéphane, who announces to the wealthy Serge that she is his long-lost daughter. This revelation is not welcomed by Serge’s immediate family, as they grapple with the presence of a new heir in their intricately tense household. The story unfolds in a mansion by the sea, inhabited by a cast of characters whose lives are deeply affected by Stéphane’s sudden appearance. Among them are Serge’s wife, played by Dominique Blanc, his other daughter portrayed by Doria Tillier, a rebellious granddaughter enacted by Céleste Brunnquell, and a peculiarly unsettling housemaid.
IFC Films, the distributor of The Origin of Evil, has been enthusiastic about adding Marnier’s innovative narrative to their repertoire. The production was spearheaded by Marnier’s long-time collaborator Caroline Bonmarchand, along with Kim McCraw and Luc Déry of micro_scope and Avenue B Productions as the executive producers.
Arianna Bocco, former president of IFC Films, praised the film as a “twisty, subversive, and beautifully executed thriller” with Variety. She commended Marnier’s talent and expressed eagerness to introduce his “wild ingenuity” to American audiences. Bocco shared:
‘The Origin of Evil’ is a twisty, subversive, and beautifully executed thriller. Marnier is the perfect addition to the IFC family, where we can’t wait to share his wild ingenuity with American audiences.”
IFC Films
The Origin of Evil: A Dark Comedy with a Punch of Patriarchy Critique
IFC Films
Calamy, known for her role in Call My Agent!, described The Origin of Evil as a “social critique and a metaphor about the end of patriarchy,” highlighting its elements of “grotesque humor” and suspense. She explained her approach to acting, emphasizing the exploration of human emotions without any moral limitations, even when the character exhibits traits of monstrosity and violence. Calamy explained:
“I don’t have any morality when I play a role. I’m like a speleologist of human feelings, I try to understand my characters and I don’t limit myself in any way, even if there’s some monstrosity and violence embedded in them, because these traits are part of human nature.”
With a storyline inspired by Knives Out, Marnier’s latest offering is poised to captivate audiences with its engaging narrative and thought-provoking themes. Thriller-comedy fans will be in for a roller coaster of emotions and a deep dive into the complexities of human nature with The Origin of Evil. Don’t miss out on this gripping tale of family dynamics, deception, and the quest for truth.
Set to premiere in select theaters and on demand on September 22, courtesy of IFC Films, The Origin of Evil promises a blend of dark comedy and suspenseful drama.
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