The Gardener (2025)
A French action-comedy where a deadly gardener becomes the last line of defense for a family hunted by the state.
The Gardener - Movie Information
- Original Title: Le Jardinier
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: David Charhon
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 30, 2025 (QA)
- Alternative Titles: The Gardener (CA), The Gardener (US), 园丁 (CN), Le Jardinier (BR), Le jardinier (FR), Mission: Gardener (DE), Több, mint kertész (HU), O Jardineiro (PT)
- Production Companies: uMedia, Rose Productions
- Production Countries: Belgium, France
The Gardener - Plot
Every year the Prime Minister has a list of all kinds of troublemakers eliminated in the name of the famous Reason of State. Serge Shuster, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic, finds himself on this list, better known as the Matignon List. Condemned to certain death and at the heart of an implacable plot and a state secret that also put his family in danger, Serge, his wife and children have only one hope left - their gardener, Léo, who hates it when « slugs » invade his garden... Especially those that want to kill innocent families.
The Gardener - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Léo spring into action:
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The Gardener - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Charhon
Main Cast
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Michaël Youn
- Nawell Madani
- Carla Poquin
- Jérôme Le Banner
- Ragnar Le Breton
- Kaaris
- Danielle Renault
- Élie Semoun
- Vincent Desagnat
Writers
- David Charhon
- Vincent de Brus
- Sebastien Fechner
Producers
- Sebastien Fechner
The Gardener - FAQs
What is The Gardener about?
The Gardener follows Serge Shuster, a presidential adviser who discovers he's been placed on a secret government hit list. Desperate and hunted, he and his family turn to their gardener Léo — a quietly lethal man who takes a very dim view of anyone threatening innocent people on his watch.
Why is Jean-Claude Van Damme perfect as Léo?
Van Damme plays Léo as a man of few words and devastating efficiency — a role that leans into both his action icon status and a dry, self-aware humor. The casting is a clever wink at his legacy: a legendary fighter hiding in plain sight behind a lawnmower and a watering can.
Who are the main actors in The Gardener?
The film stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as the formidable gardener Léo, alongside Michaël Youn as the panicked adviser Serge Shuster, Nawell Madani as Mia, Carla Poquin as Alice, Jérôme Le Banner as Phoebus, Kaaris as Quasimodo, and Élie Semoun as Dr Rouma.
What is the Matignon List in The Gardener?
The Matignon List is the film's central MacGuffin — a secret government document authorizing the elimination of individuals deemed threats to national stability. It's a darkly comic take on real-world concepts of state-sanctioned secrecy, giving the story its political edge wrapped in action-comedy packaging.
When was The Gardener released?
The Gardener was released on January 30, 2025, in Qatar. The film is a French-Belgian co-production directed by David Charhon and brings together a lively ensemble cast for a high-energy blend of political satire and action-comedy.
Where can you stream The Gardener?
You can watch The Gardener on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — all available to buy or rent. It's also available for free on Hoopla and Fawesome, making it easy to catch regardless of your preferred platform.
Who directed The Gardener?
The Gardener was directed by David Charhon, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Vincent de Brus and Sébastien Fechner. Charhon is a French filmmaker known for blending comedy with genre elements, and this film marks a notable collaboration with action legend Jean-Claude Van Damme.
What are some movies similar to The Gardener?
If you enjoy The Gardener, you might also like The Infallibles (2024) and The Family Plan 2 (2025) for similar action-comedy vibes, or Wildcat (2025) and Hostile Takeover (2025) for more high-stakes thrills. Each blends humor and action in ways fans of the genre tend to love.
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