Directed and written by Pascal Elbé, La Bonne étoile is a dramedy set in Nazi-occupied France in 1940. Led by Benoît Poelvoorde, Audrey Lamy, and Zabou Breitman, the film was released in theaters on November 12, 2025. After its cinematic run, it will be available on EST from March 12, 2026, followed by VOD rental starting March 18, 2026.
In 1940, Jean Chevalin finds himself living in dire poverty with his wife and children. A French army deserter, he is pushed to the brink by hardship and his own decisions. Believing that « some » manage better than others, he devises a reckless and perilous plan: to impersonate a Jew in order to access the help of smugglers and escape to the free zone.
This deception sets the family on a journey filled with misunderstandings, comedic mishaps, and more serious clashes with the reality of the era. As the journey unfolds, Jean’s convictions begin to falter, and his prejudices start to crack, paving the way for a gradual awakening to themes of solidarity and human dignity.
Featuring in the official selection at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival 2025, La Bonne étoile embraces a deliberately straightforward and accessible style. Pascal Elbé aimed for a subtle direction, allowing the characters and story to take center stage, in a spirit reminiscent of Italian comedies and select works by Billy Wilder, where humor is used to convey a broader moral message.
The film largely depends on its cast of three. Benoît Poelvoorde portrays a cowardly yet endearing anti-hero, gradually haunted by his conscience. Audrey Lamy plays Paulette, a sharp and resilient wife, while Zabou Breitman brings to life an aristocratic figure inspired by women who resisted, a character conceived as a tribute to the lives long overlooked in the official history.
Filmed in the summer of 2024 across various towns in the Grand Est region, La Bonne Étoile strikes a tone that swings between comedy and tragedy. The stark difference between the absurdity of the original plan and the seriousness of the historical backdrop shapes the film, which explores the idea of everyday courage and how illusions can shatter when faced with reality.
The Lucky Star
Film | 2025
Cinematic Release: November 12, 2025
Released in EST on March 12, 2026
Available on VOD from March 18, 2026
Dramatic comedy | Duration: 1h40
Directed by Pascal Elbé | Starring Benoît Poelvoorde, Audrey Lamy, Zabou Breitman
Country: France
Through this heartfelt historical comedy, Pascal Elbé offers an approachable yet nuanced perspective on cowardice, prejudice, and the possibility of redemption during wartime. La Bonne étoile continues the tradition of films that leverage humor as a means to explore moral and memory-related issues.
To explore even more, check out our curated list of March’s newest VOD releases, our comprehensive guide to latest streaming arrivals across all platforms, and today’s top picks in what to watch today in streaming.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
