Directed by Pascal Bonitzer, Victor comme tout le monde is set to hit theaters on March 11, 2026. This dramedy brings together Fabrice Luchini, Chiara Mastroianni, and Marie Narbonne to tell the story of an actor deeply inspired by Victor Hugo’s work. The film is based on a screenplay by the late filmmaker Sophie Fillières, who passed away in 2023, and it embodies a unique artistic collaboration blending theater and cinema.
On stage, Robert Zucchini is a beloved actor, captivating audiences night after night with his show dedicated to Victor Hugo. He shares his passion for words and literature, filling theaters with his energy. Off the stage, however, he reveals a softer side, marked by a quiet melancholy that stands in contrast to the vitality he brings to his performances.
When his daughter, whom he's barely known, suddenly reenters his life, his carefully balanced routine begins to tremble. Torn between admiration for Victor Hugo’s legacy and a struggle to forge genuine emotional connections, Robert faces an unexpected dilemma: should he stay in the shadow of towering literary figures or learn to embrace his own feelings and build the meaningful relationship he's long neglected?
The project has a unique origin story. The screenplay was written by director and screenwriter Sophie Fillières, who had been working on the film since 2020 before being sidelined by illness. Following her passing on July 31, 2023, the production — led by Charles Gillibert for CG Cinema — entrusted the direction to Pascal Bonitzer, with the blessing of the filmmaker’s family and Agathe Bonitzer. This marks the second project by Sophie Fillières completed posthumously, after Ma vie ma gueule, released in 2024.
The film also marks the reunion between Fabrice Luchini and Pascal Bonitzer, nearly three decades after Rien sur Robert (1998). Originally titled Hugo, the project underwent a transformation to a title that emphasizes the core theme of the story: humanizing the towering figure of the poet. In the early script drafts, the main character even bore the name Luchini, but it was later changed to Robert Zucchini to create a buffer between the fictional persona and the actor’s real identity.
The filming incorporated scenes from the play dedicated to Victor Hugo in which Fabrice Luchini stars at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin. Three performances were filmed and then edited into the movie. Monica Coleman handled the editing, aiming to capture the energy of the live show while balancing it with the storytelling of the film. Victor comme tout le monde thus becomes a hybrid piece where the stage performance informs the cinematic narrative.
Blending portrait of an actor with a family story, the film delves into the intersection of artistic admiration and personal life. Pascal Bonitzer’s world, frequently focused on intellectual and emotional dilemmas, is complemented here by Sophie Fillières’ penchant for quirky characters and distinctive dialogue. The result is a film that appeals to viewers drawn to dramatic comedies rooted in language, relationships, and the role of literature in modern life.
Victor Like Everyone Else
Film | 2026
Release in theaters: March 11, 2026
Drama-comedy | Runtime: 1h38
Directed by Pascal Bonitzer | Starring Fabrice Luchini, Chiara Mastroianni, Marie Narbonne
Original title: Victor Like Everyone Else
Country: France
With this feature film, Pascal Bonitzer continues his focus on exploring intellectual figures and human contradictions. Through the story of an actor inspired by Victor Hugo yet grappling with his own romantic life, Victor like Everyone Else questions the fine line between artistic admiration and personal experience.
To extend your in-theater experience, check out the March movie releases, the must-see films of the moment, and our top dramatic comedies of the year.
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