Already Dead (1998)
Olivier Dahan's debut feature plunges a naïve young woman into the predatory world of the adult film industry, with devastating consequences.
Already Dead - Movie Information
- Original Title: Déjà mort
- Release Year: 1998
- Directed by: Olivier Dahan
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 22, 1998 (France), May 5, 1998 (United States)
- Production Companies: Canal+, CNC, France 3 Cinéma, Iris Filmes, Sofinergie 4, UGC
- Production Countries: France
Already Dead - Plot
A young pizza-deliverer, Andréa, introduces Laure, a 20 year old girl he barely knows, to his friend David, a wealthy layabout who is looking for models for his porn photo agency. Eager for an easy escape from her dull life, Laure agrees to attend an audition with David's boss, who proposes that she appears in hard core porn videos. She does not realise - until it is too late - that she has entered a world of hedonistic excess and brutal self-destruction...
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Already Dead - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Olivier Dahan
Main Cast
- Romain Duris
- Benoît Magimel
- Zoé Félix
- Clément Sibony
- Isaac Sharry
- Carlo Brandt
- Cylia Malki
- Rudi Rosenberg
- Saskia Mulder
- Laure Sainclair
Writers
- Olivier Massart
- Olivier Dahan
Producers
- Yves Attal
Already Dead - FAQs
What is Already Dead about?
Already Dead follows Laure, a twenty-year-old looking for a way out of her mundane life, who is introduced to a shady porn photo agency. Drawn in by the promise of easy money, she gradually descends into a world of exploitation, hedonistic excess, and irreversible self-destruction — realizing the danger far too late.
Who are the main actors in Already Dead?
The film features Romain Duris as Romain, Benoît Magimel as David, and Zoé Félix as Laure. Clément Sibony plays Andréa, the pizza deliverer who unwittingly sets events in motion. The supporting cast also includes Carlo Brandt, Cylia Malki, Saskia Mulder, and Laure Sainclair.
Who directed Already Dead?
Already Dead was directed by Olivier Dahan, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Olivier Massart. Dahan would later become internationally recognized for La Vie en Rose (2007), his acclaimed biographical film about Édith Piaf, which earned him widespread critical attention.
Is Already Dead based on a true story?
Already Dead is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay written by Olivier Dahan and Olivier Massart. However, the film draws on very real social dynamics — the exploitation of vulnerable young women by the adult entertainment industry — giving it a raw, documentary-like authenticity.
When and where was Already Dead released?
Already Dead premiered in France on April 22, 1998, before crossing the Atlantic for its US release on May 5, 1998. It was a French production backed by Canal+, France 3 Cinéma, and UGC, among other companies.
What genre is Already Dead?
Already Dead sits squarely in the Crime and Drama genres. It carries the gritty, unflinching tone of late-1990s French social cinema, exploring themes of manipulation, moral corruption, and the seductive pull of a world that ultimately destroys those who enter it.
How long is Already Dead?
Already Dead runs for 108 minutes — just under two hours. The runtime gives Dahan enough space to build tension gradually, letting viewers watch Laure's slow, almost inevitable slide into a dangerous underworld before the full weight of her situation becomes clear.
What movies are similar to Already Dead?
If Already Dead resonated with you, you might enjoy In His Shadow (2023), Saint Omer (2022), Òlòtūré (2019), or American Murderer (2022). Films like An Ordinary Case (2024) and The Inner Cage (2021) also share that same dark, morally complex atmosphere that makes Already Dead so compelling.
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