Watch at Home 01.16.2026

Maldoror

Directed by Fabrice du Welz
Film Movement
2024
155 Minutes
Belgium, France
French
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Not Rated
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Belgium, 1995. The shocking disappearance of two young girls leads to the formation of a secret police operation known as Maldoror. Newly recruited officer Paul Chartier is tasked with monitoring a dangerous suspect but soon finds himself in a losing battle against bureaucracy and systemic dysfunction. As official efforts collapse and the case is closed still unsolved, Paul spirals into obsession, pushing him beyond legal and moral boundaries in a relentless pursuit for justice. Inspired by true events, Maldoror is “a propulsive, compelling thriller” (Screen Daily) about crime, punishment and the failures of institutions meant to protect society.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Fabrice du Welz
  • Starring: Anthony Bajon
  • Starring: Alba Gaïa Bellugi
  • Starring: Alexis Manenti
  • Starring: Sergi Lopez
  • Starring: Laurent Lucas
  • Starring: David Murgia
  • Starring: Béatrice Dalle

Where to Watch

Photos

Reviews

  • "Maldoror is an enjoyably meaty recuperation of an infamous scandal."
    Nicholas Bell, Ion Cinema
  • "Maldoror vigorously evokes the epic tales of crime and punishment that became a Sidney Lumet hallmark in 1970s American cinema. Fabrice du Welz transforms true events from 1990s Belgium into a meaty, multi-layered puzzle in which a maverick policeman’s righteous pursuit of justice places him at odds with everyone he holds dear. [A] propulsive, compelling thriller that should attract adult audiences who embraced recent titles like The Night Of The 12th (2022) and The Beasts (2022). "
    Allan Hunter, Screen Daily
  • "[T]his is a superbly-acted, small-town thriller that should appeal to fans of True Crime...."
    Matthew Turner, Next Best Picture
  • "[A] tense psychological action thriller that intertwines vintage aesthetics and sanity-challenging obsession."
    Martin Kudlac, ScreenAnarchy
  • "An immense yet slinking police procedural that slips with disturbing ease into its audiences’ subconscious, Fabrice Du Welz’s Maldoror owes a debt to many contemporary serial killer creepers to come before it but comes together as a formidable, restrained, uniquely resonant work that finds the director at the height of his powers in telling a story at once hauntingly personal and broad in scope."
    Rocco T. Thompson, Daily Dead
  • "[T]his is an intelligent take on an established formula that gives its actors time and space to deliver the emotional goods."
    Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
  • "[A] real head-banger of a movie. "
    Meredith Taylor, Filmuforia
  • "“Maldoror” ... shakes you to the core with dark depths humans can sink to while restoring your faith in the future of film."
    Eamon Tracy, Irish Film Critic
  • "Through its compelling blend of story, performance, and visual and auditory scope, MALDOROR is a reflective exploration into the heart of human darkness, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about society and themselves. "
    Chris Jones, Overly Honest Reviews
Official Selection
Venice Film Festival
Official Selection
Fantastic Fest
Official Selection
Beyond Fest LA
Official Selection
BFI London Film Festival
Nominated
Jury Prize
Fantasy Filmfest
Nominated
Best Feature Length Film
Sitges Film Festival
Nominated
Best Film Award
Lisbon Film Festival

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