L'Homme qui rétrécit (The Shrinking Man), directed by Jan Kounen, is an intimate yet spectacular science-fiction tale. Jean Dujardin plays an ordinary man confronted with a radical physical transformation: after a strange exposure during a sea outing, he begins to inexorably shrink in size. This free adaptation of Richard Matheson's cult novel promises to be a contemporary French retelling of the American literary classic, exploring existential, family and survival issues. The film blends adventure and reflection, in a realistic setting gradually transformed by the perspective of a man who has become minuscule.
The Man Who Shrunk will be released in theaters on October 22, 2025.
Synopsis: The journey of an ordinary man who divides his time between his shipbuilding business and his family. Confronted with a strange and unexplained meteorological phenomenon during a trip out to sea, he begins to shrink inexorably, without science being able to explain it. Suddenly trapped in his own basement, now measuring only a few inches tall, he must fight to survive in this ordinary environment that has become hostile.
The Shrinking Man could appeal to audiences drawn to tales ofinner adventure, transformation and survival. The film seems to follow in the footsteps of such works asHoney, I Shrunk the Kids for the visual and domestic aspects of miniaturization, and Alexander Payne's Downsizing for the existential dimension. Audiences familiar with the cinema of Jan Kounen, known for his visual and narrative experimentation, may also find this an original and personal retelling of a science-fiction classic.
This feature film is a free adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel The Shrinking Man, already brought to the screen in 1957 by Jack Arnold. Jan Kounen's version transposes the plot to a contemporary French setting, with Jean Dujardin in the lead role. The film also stars Marie-Josée Croze in an as yet undetailed role. The script, co-written with Christophe Deslandes, seems to focus as much on the psychological dimension as on the physical impact of the phenomenon. The first images hint at a realistic art direction, transforming everyday objects into unexpected dangers.
The Shrinking Man portrays a character confronted with an unexplained transformation in familiar surroundings that have become threatening. This new adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel stars Jean Dujardin and is directed by Jan Kounen. It is aimed at audiences interested in stories that combine science fiction, family drama and survival adventure, in a realistic visual context. Through this prism, the film could offer an original retelling of a classic genre theme.
This article is based on information available online; we have not yet viewed the film or series mentioned.
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