Au revoir là-haut is a comedy-drama directed by Albert Dupontel and released in theaters on October 25, 2017. Adapted from Pierre Lemaitre's 2013 Goncourt Prize-winning novel, the film stars Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Albert Dupontel, and Laurent Lafitte. This post-war epic, set in 1919, will be available to stream on Disney+ from November 20, 2025.
In November 1919, France is trying to recover from the conflict. Two former soldiers, Édouard Péricourt, a young disfigured artist, and Albert Maillard, a modest accountant, decide to set up a war memorial scam to take advantage of the momentum of national commemoration. Édouard creates spectacular masks to hide his injuries, Albert organizes the operation, but their project attracts the attention of the unscrupulous officer Pradelle, who is determined to take advantage of the post-war period himself.
Between scams, veterans' memories, and personal wounds, the film depicts a France in the Roaring Twenties rife with corruption, opportunism, and artistic fervor, while following the journey of two survivors seeking to regain control of their destinies.
Albert Dupontel adapts Pierre Lemaitre 's novel as a great popular tale about the aftermath of 1914-1918. The filmmaker says he reworked the script numerous times (13 versions) to establish the scam plot early on, tighten the bonds between the characters, and give the film the pace of an adventure story. The reconstruction of 1920s Paris was the result of meticulous work combining sets, VFX, and historical documentation.
Édouard's masks, designed to convey his inner states, play a central role in the film. They draw on early 20th-century artistic influences (cubism, surrealism) and give the character a strong visual presence despite his silence. The role of Albert Maillard was ultimately played by Dupontel himself after the actor originally cast in the role withdrew.
With its blendof dark humor, tragedy, and inventive staging, Au revoir là-haut will appeal to viewers interested in French historical narratives, character-driven films, and ambitious literary adaptations. The film creates a dialogue between war memories, social satire, and artistic expression.
Our opinion on the film Au revoir là-haut (2017):
During the two hours ofAlbert Dupontel's sixth film, all we see are the blue eyes of Nahuel Perez Biscayart. This young Argentine actor, the new darling of French cinema, plays a survivor of the trenches whose face has been half destroyed by the war that has just ended.
The film is remarkable for its aesthetic madness, with costumes, sets, and lighting carefully designed to create a world that matches the imagination of the main character, who, along with another survivor, decides to pull off a gigantic scam. And thus, take a little revenge for the war they endured...
Au revoir là-haut
Film | 2017
On Disney+ November 20, 2025
Comedy drama | Running time: 1h57
By Albert Dupontel | Starring Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Albert Dupontel, Laurent Lafitte
Nationality: France
The release on Disney+ allows you to rediscover this adaptation of Pierre Lemaitre's Goncourt Prize-winning novel, a post-war epic that combines swindling, memory, and artistic invention.
To go further, check out our selection of new Disney+ releases for November, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and today's selection of What to watch today on streaming.
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