The Moustache

Play trailer

The Moustache

2005

1h 26m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Marc Thiriez (Vincent Lindon) is an architect who's worn a mustache for many years. Now approaching middle age, he decides to shave it off, naturally expecting others to notice. But when his wife, Agnes (Emmanuelle Devos), ignores the change, he's perturbed. When he asks why, she insists that he hasn't had a mustache for years. When he confronts other friends and colleagues about it, they too tell the same story. As Marc grows increasingly paranoid, his loved ones consider having him committed.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Though the premise may be modest on the surface, Carrere uses a man and his mustache that may or may not exist as a springboard into psychological suspense and unsettling questions.

Read Critics Reviews

John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

Nov 3, 2006

3/4

What the movie lacks visually, it makes up for with the performances, especially by Lindon, who leads us on a journey we want to stick with even if we can't fully understand.

Go to Full Review

Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

Nov 2, 2006

In one sense it's what might be called 'typically French,' an exquisitely observed fable of bourgeois life that is mordant, witty and yet low-key. In another sense, it's what might be called 'nuts.'

Go to Full Review

Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

Sep 28, 2006

3/4

An absorbing riddle posed in cool, matter-of-fact tones.

Go to Full Review

Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

Jan 29, 2020

Adapted from a novel by first-time director Carrére, the film retains a literary quality in playing with our faith in the conventions of storytelling and in its sly, understated surrealism.

Go to Full Review

A.S. Hamrah

Boston Phoenix

Jul 6, 2010

3/4

Carrère shows how a minor change can make the world a different place, how it disappears under our feet without our noticing, how glimpses into little truths can make the people around us seem hostile and ultimately drive us mad.

Go to Full Review

Eric Monder

Film Journal International

Mar 1, 2007

Those looking for a good thriller should be pleased enough and those seeking a serious art film will get plenty of philosophy with their pretty pictures.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 22, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 26 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In French (France) and American English audio options with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Dec 29, 2020

I'm French and can't stand these pretentious type of French movies. It was a boring, pseudo intellectual film. That's 2 hours I'll never get back!!

See more

kirby p

@RT22297428 Dec 3, 2018

Absolutely terrible movie. Watch the interview in the bonus features to see the director explain how important it was to film stuff that didn't go into the movie so the actors knew what was going on. He also points out that he cannot explain the movie because he himself doesn't understand it.

See more

May 23, 2016

5.6/10, my review: http://wp.me/p1eXom-2ql

See more

Apr 27, 2014

Strange and intriguing.

See more

Jan 5, 2014

Marc shaves his mustache and with it, he goes to the other side of the mirror, where his world becomes strange. I'm not repeating the story here, see other reviews for this. I want to add that what is strange is that Marc has clear evidence that his wife and his two closest friends are lying and he becomes deeply shaken. In my view, these three characters are the people he loves the most and their lies are hurting him. Behind strong allures, he his vulnerable because of the love he has. He is not a psychopath, basically. However, his wife and friends, whether it is a joke or a sinister way to push him into depression and suicide, appears to be psychopathic. I think this is the main point of the movie. In the end, Marc escapes without leaving clues to them but they find him before he sends them an adieu, maybe a final adieu to the world or a new beginning without them. Once found, and his wife and friends now acting normally, he gets rid of the unsent token or last adieu, too happy to get back into the cosy feelings of love....that may not really exist because of their psychopathy. This film appears to be idiotic at first but asks deep questions about the value of life, love, friendship. It marks philosophical points.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Emmanuel Carrère

Director

Vincent Lindon

Marc Thiriez

Emmanuelle Devos

Agnès Thiriez

Mathieu Amalric

Serge Schaeffer

Hippolyte Girardot

Bruno

Cylia Malki

Samira

Time to Leave

74%

79%

Time to Leave

Watchlist

Assisted Living

76%

82%

Assisted Living

Watchlist

Novo

50%

49%

Novo

Watchlist

The City of No Limits

100%

81%

The City of No Limits

Watchlist

Neo Ned

67%

40%

Neo Ned

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Marc Thiriez (Vincent Lindon) is an architect who's worn a mustache for many years. Now approaching middle age, he decides to shave it off, naturally expecting others to notice. But when his wife, Agnes (Emmanuelle Devos), ignores the change, he's perturbed. When he asks why, she insists that he hasn't had a mustache for years. When he confronts other friends and colleagues about it, they too tell the same story. As Marc grows increasingly paranoid, his loved ones consider having him committed.

Director: Emmanuel Carrère
Producer: Anne-Dominique Toussaint
Screenwriter: Jérôme Beaujour, Emmanuel Carrère
Production Co: Les Films des Tournelles
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Dolby

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings