Les Misérables (2019)
Ladj Ly's explosive debut set in the Paris suburbs, where a drone, a botched arrest, and simmering rage collide with devastating force.
Les Misérables - Movie Information
- Original Title: Les Misérables
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Ladj Ly
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: Bambara, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 14, 2019 (Greece - K15), September 4, 2020 (United Kingdom), January 23, 2020 (Germany - 16), November 20, 2019 (France - TP), March 6, 2020 (New Zealand), January 16, 2020 (Brazil), February 7, 2020 (Mexico), June 15, 2020 (Italy), November 22, 2019 (Spain), April 15, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Die Wütenden - Les Misérables (DE), Los miserables (ES), I miserabili (IT), 레미제라블 (KR), 悲慘世界 (TW), Les Misérables (2019) (US), Os Miseráveis (BR)
- Production Companies: Srab Films, Rectangle Productions, Lyly Films
- Production Countries: France
Les Misérables - Plot
Stéphane has recently joined the Anti-Crime Squad in Montfermeil, in the suburbs of Paris, France, where Victor Hugo set his famed novel "Les Miserables". Alongside his new colleagues Chris and Gwada – both experienced members of the team – he quickly discovers tensions running high between local gangs. When the trio finds themselves overrun during the course of an arrest, a drone captures the encounter, threatening to expose the reality of everyday life.
Les Misérables - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension of Montfermeil unfold:
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Les Misérables - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ladj Ly
Main Cast
- Damien Bonnard
- Alexis Manenti
- Djebril Zonga
- Steve Tientcheu
- Jeanne Balibar
- Issa Perica
- Al-Hassan Ly
- Almamy Kanoute
- Nizar Ben Fatma
- Raymond Lopez
Writers
- Ladj Ly
- Giordano Gederlini
- Alexis Manenti
Producers
- Toufik Ayadi
- Christophe Barral
Les Misérables - FAQs
Is Les Misérables based on Victor Hugo's novel?
Not directly — it's an original story, but deeply inspired by Hugo's legacy. Director Ladj Ly set the film in Montfermeil, the very suburb where Hugo's novel unfolds, using that historical backdrop to explore modern-day inequality, police tension, and social fracture in contemporary France.
Where can I stream Les Misérables (2019)?
You can stream Les Misérables on Amazon Prime Video, including with an Amazon Prime Video with Ads plan or through Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. Availability may vary depending on your region, so it's worth checking your local streaming options.
What is Les Misérables (2019) about?
The film follows Stéphane, a newly transferred cop joining an anti-crime unit in the volatile Paris suburb of Montfermeil. When a tense arrest spirals out of control and a drone captures the whole incident, the footage threatens to ignite an already powder-keg community. Critics praised it as a raw, urgent portrait of systemic inequality.
What does the ending of Les Misérables mean?
The film ends on a deliberately ambiguous freeze-frame as the neighborhood kids confront the police officers. It's a direct echo of Victor Hugo's warning: 'There are no bad plants or bad men. There are only bad cultivators.' Ly refuses to resolve the tension, leaving viewers to sit with the consequences of systemic neglect.
Who are the main actors in Les Misérables?
The cast is led by Damien Bonnard as the rookie cop Stéphane, alongside Alexis Manenti as the aggressive Chris and Djebril Zonga as Gwada. Steve Tientcheu, Jeanne Balibar, and young newcomer Issa Perica also deliver standout performances throughout the film.
Did Les Misérables win any major awards?
Yes — it had a remarkable awards run. The film won the Jury Prize at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and was France's official submission for the Academy Awards, earning a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 2020 Oscars. It also swept several César Award nominations back home.
How long is Les Misérables (2019)?
Les Misérables runs for 1 hour and 44 minutes (104 minutes). It's a tightly paced film that rarely lets up — from the opening World Cup celebrations to its explosive, nerve-shredding finale, the runtime flies by.
Is Les Misérables (2019) worth watching?
Absolutely. The film holds a 98% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and earned widespread acclaim for its visceral energy and social urgency. Ladj Ly's debut feature is a masterclass in tension-building — essential viewing for fans of socially conscious cinema and gripping crime drama alike.
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