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Drama thriller

Close Enemies (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Close Enemies (2018) movie poster

Close Enemies is a 2018 drama thriller directed by David Oelhoffen, starring Matthias Schoenaerts as Manuel Marco, Ahmed Benaissa and Adel Bencherif. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $1.3 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 81/100.

worldwide gross
$1.3M
Echo Score
81
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Close Enemies (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
David Oelhoffen
Genres
Thriller , Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Close Enemies About?

The premise of Close Enemies without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Driss and Manuel grew up together on the same council estate, a place where local identity is paramount. Manuel has embraced this sense of belonging, building a life within it, while Driss has rejected it. Their differing choices will lead them to confront the repercussions of their paths and the difficult prices they must ultimately pay.

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Cast & crew

Close Enemies Cast & Characters

Matthias Schoenaerts leads the cast as Manuel Marco, with Ahmed Benaissa as Raji, "godfather" of the estate and Adel Bencherif as Imrane Mogalia, aka 'Tonton'. Directed by David Oelhoffen; 33 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Close Enemies

· 29 more
Show all 33 cast members
From the director

More from David Oelhoffen

More films directed by David Oelhoffen, best-rated first: Far From Men and Sous le bleu.

Full filmography
Ratings

Close Enemies Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in character & emotion (91) and weakest in story & flow (66).

81 /100

Close Enemies Echo Score Breakdown

Close Enemies delivers a polished noir aesthetic supported by restrained direction, atmospheric cinematography, and strong performances that ground the film in a gritty reality. Critics highlight its visual style and world‑building, while many viewers praise the tension and pacing that sustain interest across the 48‑hour narrative window. Nonetheless, the plot is frequently noted as predictable, and the climax fails to satisfy a portion of the audience. Overall, the film excels in craft and character work but falls short in narrative originality.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of direction and visual composition, the film is consistently praised for its restrained yet effective craftsmanship. Critics note the director’s commitment to realism and the claustrophobic, noir‑inspired cinematography, while users commend the camera work and lack of intrusive music. Even negative comments focus more on pacing than on technical flaws. Consequently, the artistic execution ranks near the top of the scale.

  • Character & Emotion 91

    The performances anchor the film, with multiple reviewers highlighting the chemistry and nuance of the two leads. Actors are described as powerful, engaging, and capable of carrying a genre piece without sacrificing depth. Supporting roles also receive commendation for adding texture to the world. The consensus across critics and users is that character work elevates the material, resulting in a high character score.

  • Story & Flow 66

    The narrative structure receives mixed feedback. While several viewers appreciate the tightly woven thriller pacing and the emotional weight of betrayal, a recurring critique points to predictability and an unsatisfying conclusion. Critics echo this sentiment, calling the plot familiar and the climax underwhelming. The balance of praise for tension and criticism for originality places the story in a moderate range.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual style are consistently lauded. Reviewers describe the film as claustrophobically shot, beautifully scored, and authentically noir in its palette. The lack of background music is noted as a strength, allowing performances to shine. No significant negative remarks target sensory aspects, supporting a strong, above‑average score.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch value is bolstered by the film’s tension, atmospheric style, and strong acting, prompting many users to recommend it repeatedly. However, predictability and a divisive ending temper enthusiasm for multiple viewings. The overall sentiment suggests solid replay potential without guaranteeing universal appeal, resulting in a respectable but not exceptional rewatch rating.

Plot

Close Enemies Plot Summary

What happens in Close Enemies from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Manuel [Matthias Schoenaerts] and Imrane Mogalia [Adel Bencherif], members of an Arabic crime family, celebrate their friend Nouri’s release from jail. Nouri’s jail connections pull them toward a new drug deal, and on Imrane’s urging, Manuel sets up the operation. En route, they are ambushed in a drive-by shooting that leaves Imrane and Sergio [Djamel Lazaar] dead. Manuel escapes, but he immediately becomes the prime suspect, haunted by both the criminal underworld and the police. Driss [Reda Kateb], an Arabic narcotics officer who grew up with Manuel, reveals that Imrane was working as an informant.

Full summary

The whole story of Close Enemies, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Close Enemies Box Office

Close Enemies grossed $1.3 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.3M

International
$1.3M
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Close Enemies?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Manuel's primary partner in the Arabic crime family at the start of the story?

Details

Close Enemies Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “클로즈 에너미” and “Frères ennemis”.

Also known as
  • 클로즈 에너미
  • Frères ennemis
  • มิตรร้าย
  • Близкие враги
  • Верные враги
  • Fratelli nemici - Close Enemies
  • Düşman Kardeşler
  • Verbündete Feinde
  • Enemigos íntimos
  • Αδελφικοί Εχθροί
  • 近敌
  • 近敵
+17 more
  • Inimigos Íntimos
  • Bliscy wrogowie
  • אויבים קרובים
  • Enemigos cercanos
  • Близки врагове
  • Amigo do Inimigo
  • Közeli ellenségek
  • 如敵如友
  • Enemics íntims
  • Dușmani aliați
  • خيط رفيع
  • (Ne)přátelé
  • クロース・エネミーズ
  • Nære fjender
  • Såta fiender
  • Liittolaisia ja vihollisia
  • Kẻ thù thân cận

Seen Close Enemies?

FAQ

Close Enemies FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Close Enemies, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Close Enemies?

Close Enemies runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Close Enemies released?

Close Enemies was released on September 1, 2018.

Who directed Close Enemies?

Close Enemies was directed by David Oelhoffen.

More films by David Oelhoffen

Who is in the cast of Close Enemies?

Close Enemies stars Matthias Schoenaerts as Manuel Marco, Ahmed Benaissa as Raji, "godfather" of the estate and Adel Bencherif as Imrane Mogalia, aka 'Tonton', among 33 credited actors.

How much did Close Enemies make at the box office?

Close Enemies grossed $1.3 million worldwide.

Does Close Enemies have a post-credit scene?

No. Close Enemies has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Close Enemies in?

The original language of Close Enemies is French.

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