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In Safe Hands (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

In Safe Hands (2018) movie poster

In Safe Hands is a 2018 drama directed by Jeanne Herry, starring Thibault Vinçon as Male candidate for adoption, Servane Ducorps and Grégory Gadebois. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $7.1 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 83/100.

worldwide gross
$7.1M
Echo Score
83
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In Safe Hands (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Jeanne Herry
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is In Safe Hands About?

The premise of In Safe Hands without spoilers.

Born anonymously, a newborn named Théo is given up for adoption, triggering a two-month period during which his biological mother can reconsider her decision. Simultaneously, child welfare services care for the baby and the adoption service seeks a suitable adoptive mother. Alice, a woman who has spent ten years hoping to become a parent, is chosen to potentially provide him with a permanent home, navigating a delicate and uncertain time for everyone involved.

In Safe Hands Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • written by director
  • title directed by female
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
  • adoption
  • pregnancy
  • pregnant woman
  • anonymous birth
  • hospital
  • childbirth
  • giving birth
  • newborn baby
+38 more
  • newborn
  • baby
  • year 2017
  • feeding a baby
  • social services
  • social welfare
  • social worker
  • snake
  • train
  • voice over
  • baby monitor
  • sex scene
  • bare chested male
  • theater
  • audio description
  • strangulation
  • brest france
  • foster care
  • foster home
  • unwanted pregnancy
  • motherhood
  • pregnancy craving
  • mother child separation
  • nonlinear timeline
  • divorcee
  • divorced woman
  • marital breakup
  • adoption agency
  • adoption refusal
  • child given up for adoption
  • adoptive mother
  • mother gives child up for adoption
  • responsible adoption practices
  • adoptive mother adoptive son relationship
  • psychologist
  • psychology
  • child psychology
  • female nudity
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Cast & crew

In Safe Hands Cast & Characters

Thibault Vinçon leads the cast as Male candidate for adoption, with Servane Ducorps as Female candidate for adoption and Grégory Gadebois as PFS service head. Directed by Jeanne Herry; 41 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in In Safe Hands

· 37 more
Show all 41 cast members
From the director

More from Jeanne Herry

One more film directed by Jeanne Herry: Number One Fan.

Full filmography
Ratings

In Safe Hands Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in art & craft (74).

83 /100

In Safe Hands Echo Score Breakdown

In Safe Hands provides an intimate portrait of the French adoption system, combining emotional truth with a measured narrative. Critics and viewers alike commend its sincere depiction and strong performances, while noting occasional didactic overtones and a few contrived artistic choices. The film’s realistic visual style and careful pacing maintain audience engagement despite moments of dryness. Overall, its humanistic focus and evocative storytelling leave a lasting impression that encourages repeated viewings.

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

  • Art & Craft 74

    The direction and visual composition are praised for their realism and thoughtful framing, creating an immersive look at the adoption process. Reviewers highlight the effective use of cinematography and attentive camera work. However, some critics point out an outdated montage technique and occasional forced artistic licence that feel contrived. On balance, the craftsmanship supports the story while leaving room for technical improvement.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Performances are described as nuanced and emotionally resonant, with particular praise for Elodie Bouchez and the supporting cast’s chemistry. Critics note the director’s skill in placing each character convincingly within the narrative. Viewers report strong identification with the protagonists and commend the depth given to both adoptive and biological parents. The collective sentiment underscores a high level of character development and authenticity.

  • Story & Flow 78

    The narrative offers a coherent and educational view of the adoption journey, maintaining audience interest through measured pacing. Positive feedback emphasizes the story’s humanistic tone and relevance, while some reviewers find segments slow, bland, or overly didactic. A few forced script moments are cited as detracting from originality. Overall, the plot succeeds in delivering an engaging, if occasionally uneven, portrayal of its subject.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sound design and musical cues complement the film’s intimate atmosphere, and the visual palette reinforces the documentary‑like realism praised by critics. Reviewers describe the sensory experience as immersive and supportive of the emotional core. No major criticisms of audio or visual style are noted, aside from isolated remarks on editing rhythm. The sensory elements generally enhance rather than distract from the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 84

    Audiences find the film emotionally impactful and recommend it for future viewings, citing its lasting relevance and capacity to provoke reflection on adoption. The combination of heartfelt performances and informative content encourages repeated engagement. While a small number of critics mention didactic tones that could reduce rewatch appeal, the predominant sentiment is that the movie retains strong replay value and continues to resonate over time.

Box office

In Safe Hands Box Office

In Safe Hands grossed $7.1 million worldwide. $1,737 came from the US and Canada and $7.1 million (100%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.1M

US & Canada
$1.7K
International
$7.1M
US & Canada 0% Rest of the world 100%
Videos

In Safe Hands Trailers & Videos

The trailer of In Safe Hands.

In Safe Hands (Pupille) Official Trailer US
Details

In Safe Hands Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “En Buenas Manos” and “가족이 되기까지”.

Also known as
  • En Buenas Manos
  • 가족이 되기까지
  • Wymarzony
  • 最美的相遇
  • 孤儿
  • I trygga händer
  • I Trygge Hænder
  • בידיים טובות
  • In mani sicure
  • Pe mâini bune
  • Gözbebeğim
  • Labās rokās
+4 more
  • Kūdikis
  • In sicheren Händen
  • Em Boas Mãos
  • En bones mans

Seen In Safe Hands?

FAQ

In Safe Hands FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is In Safe Hands?

In Safe Hands runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was In Safe Hands released?

In Safe Hands was released on August 26, 2018.

Who directed In Safe Hands?

In Safe Hands was directed by Jeanne Herry.

More films by Jeanne Herry

Who is in the cast of In Safe Hands?

In Safe Hands stars Thibault Vinçon as Male candidate for adoption, Servane Ducorps as Female candidate for adoption and Grégory Gadebois as PFS service head, among 41 credited actors.

How much did In Safe Hands make at the box office?

In Safe Hands grossed $7.1 million worldwide ($1,737 domestic, $7.1 million international).

Does In Safe Hands have a post-credit scene?

No. In Safe Hands has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is In Safe Hands in?

The original language of In Safe Hands is French.

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