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The Stranger

Play trailer 1:54 Poster for The Stranger Now Playing 2h 0m Drama Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 71 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In French Algeria, Meursault drifts through life and love with mysterious detachment. When he stands accused of murdering an Arab man, indifference is his only alibi in François Ozon's fresh take on Albert Camus's classic novel.
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The Stranger

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Critics Consensus

Cleverly contextualizing Albert Camus' existentialist classic within a modern political lens, François Ozon's The Stranger is as intriguing to mull over as it is beautiful to look at.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle 1d
3/5
It may well be that Ozon has made the best possible conventional adaptation of the book. Yet maybe it requires a more unconventional touch to truly translate Camus' point. Go to Full Review
Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) 2d
3/5
Ozon, for his part, goes out of his way to reassure us that his film is ultimately on the right side of history – to the point where for once in his career, this often gleefully amoral director falls prey to a certain preachiness. Go to Full Review
Deborah Ross The Spectator 3d
Miraculously, Ozon has managed to make a film about boredom without making a boring film. If nothing else, the radiant black and white aesthetic will grab you from the off and then never let go. Visually, it’s divine. Go to Full Review
Jim Schembri jimschembri.com 1d
5/5
It’s as though Camus has dreamed his novel onto the screen. Go to Full Review
Andiee Paviour Nobody's Reading This But Me 2d
4/5
Writer-director François Ozon takes the classic Camus novel for a striking, disquieting spin. Go to Full Review
Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) 2d
Filmed in exquisitely nuanced black and white, the lack of color underscores the missing depth to our anti-hero’s life. But never is it monochromatic; it brings with it a feeling for the undefined era of the late 40s and early 50s. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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greg s 5d I thought it was a brilliant telling of Camus story, but with a sensuality I had not considered. See more Simon 5d Beautifully filmed. Excellent acting. And, importantly, faithful to the book. See more Melissa 6d Hypnotic retelling of Camus novella. See more Michael Apr 4 Great retells by of Camus’s novel. Acting was superb and I am a huge Ozon fan. See more Manan J @RT64452712 17h Calm on the surface. Quietly unsettling underneath. François Ozon doesn’t rush—and The Stranger benefits from that patience. It’s controlled, observant, and built on tension that doesn’t need to announce itself. The film lets silence do most of the work, and somehow, that’s where it hits the hardest. What stands out is the restraint. Nothing feels overplayed. The narrative unfolds slowly, almost cautiously, trusting the audience to stay with it rather than chasing attention. But that same restraint can feel limiting. At times, it holds back just enough to stop it from becoming truly unforgettable. Final Verdict: Subtle, sharp, and just unsettling enough to linger. Cinema wins. Mediocrity loses. See more Moody C @MoodyC Apr 8 Nothing happens till 2nd hr & only got interesting during last half hr court trial. Protagonist’s is indifferent to everything & so lives a somewat boring life as 1st hr shows hence quite boring viewing for audience as well. His talk with priest is quite interesting & thought provoking. It’s a good movie but cud be made shorter with better editing. I saw a dude walk out right before murder scene lol oh well, that’s when it started to pick up. For those wondering purpose of life, you’re not alone! See more Read all reviews
The Stranger

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Movie Info

Synopsis In French Algeria, Meursault drifts through life and love with mysterious detachment. When he stands accused of murdering an Arab man, indifference is his only alibi in François Ozon's fresh take on Albert Camus's classic novel.
Director
François Ozon
Producer
François Ozon
Screenwriter
François Ozon
Distributor
Music Box Films
Production Co
Gaumont, FOZ, France 2 Cinéma
Genre
Drama, Crime
Original Language
French
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 3, 2026, Limited
Runtime
2h 0m
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