The French crime thriller Ad Vitam has captured the attention of Netflix viewers, climbing to the top of the platform’s movie charts. This action-packed film offers a thrilling mix of suspense, government conspiracies, and emotional depth.
Directed by Rodolphe Lauga, Ad Vitam follows Franck (played by Guillaume Canet), a former elite government agent whose life takes a dangerous turn when his apartment is attacked, and his pregnant wife, Léo (played by Stéphane Caillard), is kidnapped.
Franck and Léo both once belonged to the GIGN, an elite tactical unit within France’s National Gendarmerie. Their past in the special forces has made them skilled in combat, but it also placed them in the middle of a deadly conspiracy.
When Franck unintentionally interferes with a secret government mission, powerful figures decide to silence him. What follows is a relentless pursuit filled with danger, intense action, and a race against time.
The title Ad Vitam, which means “for life” in Latin, carries significant meaning throughout the film. It represents Franck’s struggle to protect his family, his fight for justice, and his determination to break free from a violent past.
A Violent Home Invasion Sparks the Conflict
The film begins with a brutal attack on Franck and Léo’s apartment. A group of masked, armed men storms inside, leaving no room for escape.
Franck immediately realizes that they are searching for something important—something that could expose dangerous secrets. He knows exactly what they want: a key that unlocks a lockbox containing crucial evidence the French government wants to erase.
The mastermind behind the attack is Vanaken (played by Johan Heldenbergh), a ruthless operative working under the government’s orders. Vanaken and his men have a clear mission—to retrieve Franck’s old GIGN patch, which holds the blood of a secret government operative.
They cannot afford to let that evidence resurface. Their orders are simple: recover the patch and kill both Franck and Léo to keep the truth buried forever.
However, Franck refuses to give up without a fight. With his elite training and quick thinking, he fights back against the attackers. Just when the situation seems hopeless, Franck’s close friend and former GIGN agent, Ben (played by Nassim Lyes), arrives to help. Together, they manage to escape, but not without consequences.
A Desperate Plan and a Race Against Time
As they flee, Franck devises a clever strategy to trick Vanaken’s team. He smears his own blood onto Ben’s old GIGN patch, making it appear as though it is the real evidence they are after.
When they hand it over, Vanaken believes he has accomplished his mission. However, he never planned to let them live, regardless of whether they cooperated.
A fierce gunfight erupts, leading to devastating injuries. Ben takes a bullet to the torso, while Léo is shot in the arm. In the middle of the chaos, something even more urgent happens—Léo’s water breaks. With no other choice, Franck carries his wife into a hospital, desperate to save both her and their unborn child.
However, before he can stay by her side, authorities take him into custody, believing he is involved in the very conspiracy he is trying to expose.
Léo’s Intelligence Saves the Day
While Franck and Ben put up a strong fight, it is Léo who proves to be the film’s true hero. Before the attack, she had the presence of mind to grab the key that Franck had left in their bathroom. Despite being tied up and wounded, she never let go of it.
Léo’s determination and quick thinking ultimately turn the tide in their favor. She manages to use Franck’s real bloodstained GIGN patch as undeniable proof of his innocence. Because of her actions, Franck is eventually released from prison, and justice begins to take its course.
As the film reaches its emotional conclusion, Franck reunites with Léo and their newborn daughter, relieved that his family is finally safe. Ben, who survives his injuries, watches from a distance, knowing that Franck has finally found peace.
The Meaning Behind ‘Ad Vitam’
The title Ad Vitam holds deep significance throughout the film. The phrase appears on the back of Franck’s GIGN badge, a relic from his late father. His father, also a GIGN agent, was killed when Franck was just a child. The words “for life” remind Franck of his family’s tragic past and the sacrifices made by those who serve in dangerous roles.
Franck carries heavy guilt for the death of his best friend and fellow GIGN agent, Nico (played by Alexis Manenti). During an unauthorized shootout at a hotel, Franck made a mistake that cost Nico his life. Nico’s wife, Manon (played by Zita Hanrot), was left devastated, and his two sons were forced to grow up without a father.
The phrase “ad vitam” takes on a new meaning as Franck fights to make things right, not only for himself but for those he has wronged.
Throughout the story, the film highlights the importance of brotherhood and loyalty within the GIGN community. This elite unit was more than just a job for Franck—it was the foundation of his life. It introduced him to Léo, his closest friends, and the people he trusted most.
While their careers were fulfilling, it was Nico and Manon who encouraged Franck and Léo to start a family. They believed that having loved ones to return home to would keep them grounded and give them strength.
Franck understands this deeply, as he grew up without a father and knew the pain it caused. After Nico’s tragic death, he felt responsible for putting Nico’s sons in the same heartbreaking situation he had once faced.
His mission to save Léo and their child was about more than survival—it was about protecting his family, honoring his fallen friend, and ensuring the truth was exposed.
Franck’s Journey Toward a New Life
As the film reaches its resolution, Franck realizes that a life filled with constant danger and violence is not the only path available to him. He understands that a peaceful, family-centered life can be just as meaningful as his high-stakes career in the GIGN.
By choosing to protect his wife and child, he breaks the cycle of loss that haunted him for so long. Instead of continuing down a road filled with violence, he embraces a future where love, justice, and family come first.
Ad Vitam delivers a powerful story filled with action, emotion, and deep personal struggles. The film masterfully blends thrilling sequences with heartfelt moments, making it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys intense crime dramas with a strong emotional core.
