Written and directed by Quentin Dupieux, The Piano Accident is a French comedy that hit cinemas on July 2, 2025. Led by Adèle Exarchopoulos, Jérôme Commandeur, and Sandrine Kiberlain, the film continues in the absurd and satirical style characteristic of the filmmaker. Now available on television, the movie will be broadcast on Canal+ on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9:10 p.m. in prime time.
Magalie, once a web sensation turned millionaire, rose to fame by sharing bold content and a raw, unfiltered persona. However, a serious accident on the set of a video shoot forces her off the grid. She retreats to a mountain cabin with Patrick, her personal assistant, in a desperate attempt to regain control of a life spiraling out of reach.
But isolation alone isn’t enough to drown out the noise of the world. A journalist in possession of sensitive information gets closer, wielding the threat of blackmail. In this confined high-altitude setting, fame, symbolic violence within power dynamics, and the relentless media machinery infiltrate everyday life, ultimately tipping Magalie’s already fragile balance over the edge.
In Quentin Dupieux’s filmography, The Piano Accident continues his exploration of absurdity as it manifests in modern reality, this time focusing on digital celebrity and its pitfalls. The film employs a tight, streamlined structure with a limited cast of characters, heightening the sense of a confined setting and building a paradoxical tension that oscillates between dark comedy and social unease.
On the acting front, Adèle Exarchopoulos teams up once again with Dupieux after Mandibules and Fumer Fait Tousser. She portrays Magalie in a highly physical performance (plaster cast, neck brace, dental appliances, wig), conceived as a “perfect media victim” with ambiguous boundaries. Jérôme Commandeur makes his first collaboration with the director here: he plays Patrick, a overwhelmed assistant caught in a dependency as stark as it is absurdist. The cast is rounded out by Karim Leklou, with the film’s style marked by sudden shifts in tone that are characteristic of Dupieux’s approach.
Most of the filming took place in Haute-Savoie, particularly in Megève and Combloux, aiming for a "picturesque and affluent" setting that contrasts sharply with the brutality of the plot. Some scenes were also shot in the Var to provide a brighter counterpoint. Among the humorous moments crafted on set, a yogurt scene (featured in the trailer) emerged spontaneously through improvisation, showcasing the director's flair for injecting comedic spontaneity into the film.
For viewers, the film primarily targets those who enjoy Dupieux's offbeat style—combining dry humor, ellipses, and social critique. In terms of tone and satirical approach, it can be likened to Incroyable mais Vrai or Le Daim, but with a shift towards the age of social media, virality, and the constant production of self-image.
Piano Crash | Movie | 2025
In theaters on July 2, 2025
Premieres on Canal+: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9:10 PM
Comedy | Running time: 1h28
Directed by Quentin Dupieux | Starring Adèle Exarchopoulos, Jérôme Commandeur, Sandrine Kiberlain
Original title: L’Accident de piano
Country: France
Through the story of a reclusive influencer, The Piano Accident blends situational comedy with a sharp commentary on power dynamics and media frenzy. Its broadcast on Canal+ places this film within the current wave of contemporary French comedies that, each in their own way, challenge the construction of image and celebrity.
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