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Julia Ducournau’s newest character, Alexia (Agathe Rousselle), a young pregnant woman who was involved in an accident as a child that forced doctors to (poorly) instal a titanium plate on the side of her head, commences on a series of sinister crimes, becoming a fugitive. A grieving firefighter, Vincent (Vincent Lindon), mistakes Alexia for his long-lost son. Forming an unlikely bond, questions start to unfold from the outside world to this unusual relationship.
What makes Titane an interesting movie is that it pulls you in every direction with these wild, larger-than-life situations and yet the violence is believable enough to make you grit your teeth. Considering director Julia Ducournau’s last film, Raw, was as graphic as it was riveting cinema, it comes as no surprise that Titane follows a similar formula – but with a greater focus on body horror.
Some of the situations are so over the top that you can’t help but laugh. Although, Ducournau manages to keep the film’s brutal realism and emotional core in check, even when the striking imagery occasionally goes a bit off the rails.
Rousselle and Lindon Take Centre Stage
There is no doubt in my mind when I say Agathe Rousselle gives a powerhouse of a performance. Alexia is a remarkably complicated, disturbed character that I’m honestly surprised that they found an actress who can do the performance justice. Rousselle’s sheer emotional commitment instantly draws you in and makes you want to learn more about Alexia’s background, how she feels, and what’s going through her mind. However, at the same time, you are always afraid of what she’ll do next.
Surrounded by a fine cast of supporting actors this is very much Rouselle and Vincent Lindon’s show and it’s all the better for it.
Lindon’s Vincent is one of the most compelling characters I’ve seen in a long time. A very commanding and controlled character and yet we understand his motivations and we sympathise with his situation.
A Mature Conversation with Gender and Masunlinity
As a very gender-focused film, Titane plays with the themes of masculinity, submission, sexuality, the weak, and the strong, all while focusing on how these affect the dynamic of the male and female leads.
Despite everything that happens in the film, no matter how silly or graphic, Julia Ducournau handles the screenplay with great maturity that will make you listen and go along with the ridiculousness of some of the events that unfold.
A Future Cult Classic?
Outside of France, Julia Ducournau’s Titane will either be remembered as a cult classic or a severely underrated movie. I personally loved the gritty, fantastical yet very real world. There is imagery that will be permanently planted in your head for better or worse, and nothing will prepare you for this rollercoaster of a film. It can go from astonishingly tense to effortlessly funny within minutes. It is up to the viewer to decide what could this or that mean, but for me, I found it better when it’s simple.
Whether you love it or hate it, Titane will certainly make you look at cars very differently.
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