Directed and written by Pascal Bonitzer, Maigret and the Deadly Lover marks the return of the legendary detective created by Georges Simenon, reimagined in a fresh, contemporary take led by Denis Podalydès. Produced by Saïd Ben Saïd, the film also features performances from Anne Alvaro, Irène Jacob, Dominique Reymond, and Olivier Rabourdin. This 1-hour and 20-minute crime thriller is set to hit French theaters on February 18, 2026.
Summoned urgently to the Quai d’Orsay, Maigret is tasked with solving the murder of Monsieur Berthier-Lagès, a once-respected ambassador. As the investigation unfolds, attention quickly shifts to the diplomat’s private life, long shrouded in secrecy. The commissioner uncovers a decades-long clandestine romance with an aristocrat who has retreated from society.
As Maigret delves deeper into his investigation, he encounters the families' loved ones, navigating their silences and unspoken truths. The recent death of the princess of Vuynes’ husband, which happened almost simultaneously, adds a layer of complexity to the case. Amid buried secrets and ambiguous loyalties, the investigation gradually uncovers a long-standing romantic entanglement that sheds new light on the murder.
Presented as a modern reinterpretation of the character, the film continues the work of Pascal Bonitzer, known for The Stolen Painting. Here, the director offers a more introspective take on the detective, focusing on emotions, memory, and the heavy weight of the past. The shoot took place on real locations, especially in Paris, with particular attention to interior scenes and sharp dialogue.
The tone favors a subdued, observation-based approach and dialogue over action. Denis Podalydès portrays a thoughtful, melancholic Maigret, supported by a cast largely drawn from French theatre and independent cinema. The overall style appeals to fans of psychological thrillers and Simenon's readers, in a vein reminiscent of more intimate adaptations of the iconic detective.
Maigret and the Love-Struck Dead Film | 2026
Release Date in theaters: February 18, 2026
Crime Thriller | Duration: 1h20
Directed by Pascal Bonitzer | Starring Denis Podalydès, Anne Alvaro, Manuel Guillot, Irène Jacob
Country: France
In Maigret et le mort amoureux, Pascal Bonitzer reveals a more tender and melancholic side of the detective, all while staying true to the spirit of Simenon's novels. The film offers a noir story focused on human relationships and long-buried secrets, delivered through a restrained and dialogue-driven approach to filmmaking.
To keep the movie experience going, check out the February cinema releases, discover the must-see movies of the moment, and explore our select French films to watch now and coming soon.
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