Squad 36 (2025): Cast, Ratings, Ending & Where to Watch
Squad 36 is a 2025 crime thriller directed by Olivier Marchal, starring Victor Belmondo, Yvan Attal and Juliette Dol. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes. IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Stream it on Netflix.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 4m (124 min)
- Director
- Olivier Marchal
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- French film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Squad 36 About?
The premise of Squad 36 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
After being sanctioned by the General Inspectorate of the French National Police, senior police officer Antoine Cerda is reassigned from the prestigious Investigation and Intervention Brigade to the Anti-Crime Brigade. He distances himself from his former colleagues and unit, led by the charismatic Sami Belkaïm.
Squad 36 Themes & Keywords
· 11 tags- police
- organized crime
- police officer
- police procedural crime
- police corruption
- murder suicide
- drinking in a bar
- anti crime unit
- female topless nudity
- based on novel
- number in title
Where to Watch Squad 36
Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
Squad 36 Cast & Characters
Victor Belmondo leads the cast, with Yvan Attal and Juliette Dol. Directed by Olivier Marchal; 9 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Olivier Marchal
Also Starring in Squad 36
· 5 more- Nicolas Wanczycki Préfet Nabavian
- Tewfik Jallab
- Ludovic Faure Saïd Nguyen
- Jaa Smith-Johnson Titus
- Umit Gozuacik Mercenary Waiter
Squad 36 Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Squad 36 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in art & craft (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).
Squad 36 Echo Score Breakdown
Squad 36 suffers from uninspired plotting and uneven execution across its creative dimensions. While the film attempts a gritty portrayal of police corruption, most reviews highlight a formulaic narrative and inconsistent technical choices. Praise for neon-lit sequences and occasional solid supporting performances is overshadowed by a lead character lacking charisma and choppy editing. Despite a late twist, the net impression is of a forgettable and uneven crime thriller.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
The film's art and craft exhibit notable shortcomings in execution. Editors deliver choppy cuts and cinematographic framing often relies on unstable handheld shots. In terms of production design, a vibrant neon palette occasionally stands out but fails to cohere with the overall tone. Overall, art direction struggles to maintain a cohesive visual rhythm.
- Character & Emotion 30
Character and emotion are notably underdeveloped. The protagonist remains uncharismatic, with limited emotional fluctuation undermining audience connection. Supporting actors elicit mixed reactions: one performance is praised for its steadfast presence while others feel uniformly flat. When it comes to character depth, the collective portrayal lacks nuance and diminishes the film’s emotional impact.
- Story & Flow 35
The story and flow are largely criticized as generic and muddled. Plot elements follow predictable beats, offering few surprises until a late twist that many found unsatisfying. Pacing suffers from excessive runtime and unfocused narrative detours, leading to aims that never fully materialize. In summary, the plot coherence undermines engagement and feels overly familiar.
- Sensory Experience 40
The sensory experience offers uneven audio-visual elements. Composer choices alternate between a downbeat score and high-volume electronic tracks that enliven select sequences. In terms of sound design, loud music frequently overpowers dialogue, diminishing clarity. Visually, neon lighting at times achieves a stylized effect but is offset by distracting camera instability. Overall, sensory cohesion is inconsistent.
- Rewatch Factor 25
The rewatch factor is low due to limited lasting appeal. Lengthy runtime and structural issues reduce the desire for repeat viewings. Although a handful of action sequences leave a momentary impression, unresolved character arcs and a predictable core diminish incentive. As a result, subsequent viewings are unlikely to offer new engagement.
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IMDb 5.5 /10
3232 votes
See on IMDb -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.5 /5
4218 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Squad 36 Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Squad 36 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A police officer named Antoine Cerda [Victor Belmondo] grows increasingly uneasy as his old colleagues and squad mates are murdered one after another, about six months after he is transferred to a different unit. A tense street chase unfolds around a man named Mahmoudi, who is tailed by a plainclothes unit. The pursuit spins through a cafe, the metro, and a taxi ride, turning into an elaborate, high-stakes pursuit that underscores the unit’s preference for surveillance over straightforward arrests. Mahmoudi, aware he’s being followed, slips away at critical moments, and the chase ends with Antoine narrowly failing to bring him in, a decision that weighs on him long after the scene ends.
Full summary
The whole story of Squad 36, scene by scene, with the ending explained
How Well Do You Know Squad 36?
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
Which officer is the main protagonist of Squad 36?
Squad 36 Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “바스티옹 36번지” and “หน่วย 36: ตำรวจมือพระกาฬ”.
- Also known as
-
- 바스티옹 36번지
- หน่วย 36: ตำรวจมือพระกาฬ
- Бастион 36
- 36总局:势不两立
- A 36-os osztag
- Merkez 36
- Další válka policajtů
- جوخه 36
- Бастіон 36
- Thành lũy 36
- باستيون 36
- 暗戰二捕曲
+9 more Show fewer
- 36 总局:势不两立
- 36 總局:勢不兩立
- Οδός Μπαστιόν 36
- יחידה 36
- बैस्टियन 36
- バスティオン36
- Bastión 36
- Enota 36
- Отряд 36
Seen Squad 36?
Movies Like Squad 36
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Police, Le petit lieutenant and Police.
Squad 36 FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Squad 36, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Squad 36?
Squad 36 runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).
When was Squad 36 released?
Squad 36 was released on February 28, 2025.
Who directed Squad 36?
Squad 36 was directed by Olivier Marchal.
More films by Olivier Marchal Who is in the cast of Squad 36?
Squad 36 stars Victor Belmondo, Yvan Attal and Juliette Dol, among 9 credited actors.
Where can I watch Squad 36?
In the US, Squad 36 is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).
How is Squad 36 rated?
Squad 36 has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 62% on TMDB and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Squad 36 have a post-credit scene?
No. Squad 36 has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Squad 36 in?
The original language of Squad 36 is French.
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