The Devil, Probably (1977) 2012

The film opens dramatically with two contrasting newspaper headlines about the death of Charles, which takes place in the haunting setting of Père Lachaise Cemetery. This chilling moment sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the six months leading up to this tragic event, as the narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks and the perspectives of Charles’s closest companions, particularly his friends Michel, Albert, and Edwige.

Charles, a disillusioned student residing in the vibrant city of Paris, finds himself increasingly detached from the world around him. This feeling of alienation gnaws at him, leaving him in a state of emotional turmoil that his girlfriend Alberte and his friends simply cannot comprehend. As he navigates the complexities of life, the emptiness he encounters is palpable.

Attempting to seek solace and guidance, Charles turns to left-wing politics and religion, only to come up short. His environmental activist friend, Michel, tries to inspire him with passionate ideas, but Charles remains unmoved, as if all these pursuits are shrouded in a fog of despair. Similarly, he seeks connection through intimate encounters with Alberte and other casual acquaintances, yet these too are deeply unsatisfying, highlighting his profound sense of disillusionment.

In his quest for meaning, Charles turns to psychoanalysis, hoping to find answers to his gnawing nihilism. Yet, the more he delves into his psyche, the more he becomes burdened with a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the world. His observations become tinged with an unsettling horror as he grapples with existential questions.

One moment of clarity arises during a bus ride when a fellow passenger poses a thought-provoking query: “Who made this mockery of humanity? Who’s leading us by the nose?” To which another passenger replies, “The devil probably.” This exchange resonates deeply with Charles, encapsulating his inner anguish and encapsulating the feelings of despair that swirl around him.

As his mental state deteriorates, Charles fixates increasingly on the grim notion of suicide. His contemplation leads him to make a fateful arrangement with his friend Valentin, whose life has been overshadowed by drug addiction, to procure a handgun that will assist in carrying out his heartbreaking decision. The film poignantly captures a young man’s struggle against a world that seems devoid of meaning, making it a poignant portrayal of existential angst and isolation.