Directed by Rachel Lang, Mata is an upcoming French espionage thriller set to hit theaters on April 22, 2026. Following My Legionnaire, the filmmaker continues her exploration of strong female characters facing hostile environments, this time within the world of intelligence agencies. The film stars Eye Haïdara, alongside Joséphine Japy, Raphaël Personnaz, and Mélanie Laurent, with appearances by Hakim Jemili, Chloé Jouannet, and Juliette Chaigneau.
Mata is an agent with the DGSE's clandestine operations division. Severely injured during a covert mission in Niger, she loses track of her partner, Antoine, who was taken captive during the operation. Back in France, she is reassigned to the Department of Internal Security, far from the fieldwork she’s used to.
race against time where every decision could cost her everything — and more.
The official trailer will be added as soon as it is released by the distributor.
With Mata, Rachel Lang ventures into the realm of spy thrillers grounded in reality, focusing more on psychological tension and moral dilemmas than on high-octane action. The story weaves through covert operations abroad, internal counter-espionage, and the gray areas of power, drawing inspiration from both American paranoia films and contemporary French series.
The filming, shot across Africa and the Alpine landscapes, underscores this contrasting approach by juxtaposing distant theaters of operation with the national terrain. The original soundtrack is by Yuksek, a choice that enhances the film's tense and immersive atmosphere.
Eye Haïdara, acclaimed for her intense and nuanced performances, plays a heroine navigating both the dark corridors of intelligence work and a deeply personal ordeal. Beside her, Mélanie Laurent returns to a genre of tension and suspense she has previously mastered in film, while Raphaël Personnaz and Joséphine Japy round out a cast focused on complex, morally ambiguous characters.
Without resorting to unnecessary flashiness, Mata focuses on a tight, build-up of tension, where espionage serves as the backdrop for a story about loyalty, trust, and the cost of keeping secrets.
Mata
Film | 2026
Scheduled theatrical release: April 22, 2026
Thriller, espionage | Duration: to be confirmed
Directed by Rachel Lang | Starring Eye Haïdara, Joséphine Japy, Raphaël Personnaz, Mélanie Laurent
Original title: Mata
Country: France
Blending espionage, investigation, and personal journey, Mata delivers a tense thriller focused on a heroine grappling with both state interests and her own boundaries, set within a realistic and contemporary backdrop.
To make the most of your cinema experience, check out the April movie releases, discover the must-see films playing now, and browse our top thriller picks of the year.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
