Close Enemies (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- David Oelhoffen
- Original language
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French
- Studio
- One World Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
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.
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Director David Oelhoffen
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Matthias Schoenaerts as Manuel Marco - Ahmed Benaissa as Raji, "godfather" of the estate
- Adel Bencherif as Imrane Mogalia, aka 'Tonton'
- Djamel Lazaar as Sergio
Also Starring in Close Enemies
· 29 more- Reda Kateb Driss, captain of the narcotics squad
- Simon Ferrante Carminatti
- Guillaume Verdier Jean-Marc Furlan
- Gwendolyn Gourvenec Manon, Manuel's ex-companion
- Noah Benzaquen Ivan
- Omar Salim Nouri, Raji's man
- Kova Réa Omar
- Marc Barbé Marc, narcotics squad
- Nicolas Giraud Rémi Rufo
- Sabrina Ouazani Mounia, Imrane's companion
- Djemel Barek Father of Imran
- Raphaël Thiéry Curro Reyes
- Astrid Whettnall Head of the narcotics squad
- Sofiane Zermani Fouad
- Arthur Benzaquen Municipal police officer
- Aïmen Derriachi Youcef
Show all 33 cast members Show fewer cast members
- John Sehil Passer-by in the street (uncredited)
- Yann Goven Fernandez, narcotics squad
- Johnny Montreuil Reyes man
- Nadir Louatib Samir
- Michèle Bréant Gaëlle
- Mustapha Benstiti Ikken
- Zaire Souchi Zoubir
- Pierre Gomes-Tavares Ikken dealer
- Adem Benosmane Yacine, son of Imrane and Mounia
- Yann Tremblay Biker in the shootout
- Malki Attar Raji man
- Maxime Demba Raji man
- Raphael Magnabosco Narcotics policeman
More from David Oelhoffen
More films directed by David Oelhoffen, best-rated first: Far From Men and Sous le bleu.
Close Enemies Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in character & emotion (91) and weakest in story & flow (66).
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.
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
Close Enemies Box Office
Close Enemies grossed $1.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.3M
- International
- $1.3M
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is Manuel's primary partner in the Arabic crime family at the start of the story?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
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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