What Is Incredible But True About?
The premise of Incredible But True in 296 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet outskirts of a French suburb, Alain and Marie have built a life of routine comfort, trading the hustle of the city for the calm of a new house and the promise of a fresh start. Their partnership is warm, marked by gentle humor and the unspoken tension that every long‑term relationship carries. As they settle into their new home, the ordinary landscape is quietly interrupted by the unexpected presence of a hidden passage beneath the floorboards—an architectural curiosity that immediately begins to reshape their sense of what is possible.
The tunnel itself is a conduit to something other than mere basement storage; it feels alive with a subtle, otherworldly pulse that bends the rules of time and perception. The couple discovers that stepping into its darkness triggers a sensation of days slipping backward while hours rush forward, a paradox that hints at both wonder and unease. This strange phenomenon casts a soft, surreal glow over the otherwise conventional suburb, turning the familiar streets and garden backs into a liminal space where reality and fantasy intertwine. The film’s tone balances gentle domestic comedy with an undercurrent of psychological intrigue, inviting viewers to question how much of our daily lives are governed by unseen currents.
As Alain watches Marie become increasingly fascinated by the tunnel’s promise, their relationship is tested by curiosity, ambition, and the quiet allure of reclaimed youth. Their interactions with friends and neighbors—each bringing their own quirks and unspoken desires—add layers of subtle drama, while the house itself becomes a character, its hidden depth reflecting the couple’s own hidden wishes. The story swirls around themes of aging, desire, and the delicate balance between embracing change and preserving the familiar, all set against a backdrop that feels both comfortably suburban and deliciously uncanny.
What Happens in Incredible But True?
The complete story of Incredible But True, from the first scene to the last, in 537 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Alain, an insurance broker, embarks on a journey to find a new home in the suburbs of France alongside his wife, Marie Duval. Their adventure begins when the estate agent, Franck Chaize, unveils a peculiar feature of one property: a tunnel located in the basement that possesses the extraordinary ability to reverse a person’s age by three days for anyone who dares to enter it, while simultaneously fast-forwarding time by twelve hours. Intrigued by this astonishing discovery, Marie’s enthusiasm convinces Alain to go ahead with the purchase of this unique house.
Upon moving in, Alain decides to host his boss, Gérard, and his girlfriend, Jeanne, for a home tour. During this visit, Marie becomes engrossed with the tunnel, frequently utilizing its age-defying properties. The dinner takes a surprising turn when Gérard, under pressure from Jeanne, discloses an intimate secret—he has undergone a surgery to receive an electronic penis, which he hilariously controls via his smartphone. However, not long after, Gérard has an accident at the shooting range that causes damage to his unique appendage. This unforeseen circumstance prompts him to seek repairs in Japan, where the transplant took place, and leaves Alain in charge of softening the blow to Jeanne by claiming he is on a business trip. Meanwhile, Jeanne, who works at a bookstore, begins to make assertive advances towards Alain, leaving him in a compromising position.
As time progresses, Alain expresses skepticism regarding the tunnel’s effects on ageing. To probe its capabilities, Marie brings a rotten apple into the tunnel. Amazingly, the apple emerges shiny and fresh, but upon Alain tasting it, he discovers it is crawling with ants. A subsequent trip to Doctor Urgent reveals that the tunnel only affects skin—internally, individuals remain unchanged in age, leading to a bittersweet realization for the couple. Marie confides in Alain her aspirations to become a renowned model, which fuels her obsession with reclaiming her youth.
The narrative continues as Gérard calls upon Alain to purchase a birthday gift for Jeanne. In a fateful incident, Alain encounters Franck, who cautions him about the health risks associated with the tunnel, recommending its use in moderation to prevent severe physical and psychological repercussions. The tension escalates when Alain witnesses Jeanne engage in an affair with an employee at her bookstore.
After a prolonged stay in Japan due to complications with his surgery, Gérard ultimately returns to France, but not without complications; he comes back with a new girlfriend, Mimi, leading to a series of romantic flops. As Alain and Marie argue over the tunnel’s implications, Alain grows increasingly desperate to close it down.
The film takes a dark turn when Marie, having fully embraced the tunnel’s power, emerges transformed into a 19-year-old version of herself. Despite her newfound youth, she faces struggles breaking into the modeling industry. In an alarming sequence of events, Gérard’s electronic penis malfunctions while he is driving, leading to a catastrophic car accident. With Marie suffering from a severe emotional breakdown, Alain ultimately decides to seal the tunnel for good. However, in a harrowing revelation while hospitalized, Marie resorts to self-harm, uncovering that her body is overrun with ants—a shocking symbol of her inner turmoil and the unforeseen consequences of her attempts at regaining youth.
Incredible But True Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Alain and Marie buy a new house” to “Marie is hospitalized”. 15 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Alain and Marie buy a new house
Alain, an insurance broker, decides to purchase a new house in suburban France with his wife, Marie. They are introduced to an estate agent named Franck Chaise, who reveals an unusual feature of the property—a tunnel in the basement.
Where:Suburban France
- 2
Discovery of the tunnel's effects
Franck explains that the tunnel has the peculiar ability to reverse ageing by three days for anyone who enters it, while also making time fast forward by 12 hours. Excited by the potential benefits, Marie convinces Alain to secure the property.
Where:House basement
- 3
Gérard and Jeanne visit
Alain invites his boss, Gérard, and his girlfriend Jeanne over to their new home. During the visit, Marie spends most of her time inside the tunnel, which she finds herself increasingly drawn to.
Where:New house
- 4
Gérard's revelation at dinner
During dinner, the topic of conversation takes a bizarre turn as Gérard reveals that he has had an electronic penis transplant, which he now controls with his smartphone. The dinner ends on an awkward note due to this unusual admission.
Where:New house
- 5
Gérard's accident
A few days later, Gérard injures his electronic penis after falling at a shooting range. As the transplant was done in Japan, he travels there for repairs, instructing Alain to inform Jeanne about his business trip.
Where:Japan
- 6
Jeanne's advances towards Alain
Back in France, Jeanne, who works at a bookstore, begins making unrequited sexual advances towards Alain. This complicates Alain's feelings as he grapples with his commitment to his wife, Marie.
Where:Bookstore
- 7
Trial of the tunnel's effects
Skeptical about the tunnel's benefits, Alain watches as Marie takes a rotten apple inside it, which emerges looking fresh. However, when he bites into it afterward, he finds it filled with ants, causing him to question the authenticity of the tunnel's effects.
Where:Tunnel
- 8
Realizing the tunnel's limitations
After a visit to Doctor Urgent, Alain and Marie come to the heartbreaking realization that the tunnel only reverses skin age while a person's internal age remains unchanged. This insight sparks further conflict regarding Marie's desire to stay youthful.
Where:Doctor's office
- 9
Marie wants to be a model
Marie confesses her ambition to become younger and famous as a model, which leads to tension between her and Alain. Meanwhile, Gérard contacts Alain for a favor, asking him to buy a birthday gift for Jeanne.
Where:New house
- 10
Alain witnesses betrayal
Alain discovers Jeanne cheating on Gérard with a bookstore employee, which adds to the growing complications in his life. This betrayal becomes a pivotal moment that affects his dealings with both women.
Where:Bookstore
Show the other 5 events of Incredible But True Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Gérard's return from Japan
Gérard returns from Japan, but it is revealed that he has extended his stay due to complications with his electronic penis. Upon his return, he surprises everyone by introducing a new girlfriend, Mimi.
Where:France
- 12
Marie ages dramatically
Through the continued use of the tunnel, Marie eventually emerges as a 19-year-old, marking a significant transformation. However, she struggles to find success in her modeling aspirations amidst her rapid aging.
Where:Tunnel
- 13
Gérard's accident
In a bizarre incident, Gérard's electronic penis malfunctions and catches fire while he is driving. This unfortunate event leads to a serious car accident, further complicating his life.
Where:Road
- 14
Alain closes the tunnel
Following a nervous breakdown that Marie suffers, Alain makes the difficult decision to permanently close the tunnel. The consequences of their actions begin to weigh heavily on both of them.
Where:House
- 15
Marie is hospitalized
In a shocking and distressing turn of events, Marie is hospitalized after cutting herself, revealing that her body is infested with ants. This grotesque discovery serves as a chilling conclusion to her obsession with youth.
Where:Hospital
Who Are the Main Characters in Incredible But True?
4 characters, among them Marie Duval (Léa Drucker), Alain Duval (Alain Chabat) and Gérard (Benoît Magimel): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 3 of them link to the actor’s page.
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Marie Duval (Léa Drucker)
Played by Léa Drucker
Marie is a driven and ambitious character, longing to reclaim her youth and pursue a career in modeling. Her obsession with the tunnel's powers drives her actions and ultimately leads to her mental breakdown. The complexity of her desires serves as a mirror to societal standards of beauty and aging.
- 👩🎤 Ambition
- 🌹 Youth
- AD
Alain Duval (Alain Chabat)
Played by Alain Chabat
Alain, Marie's husband, embodies the voice of reason amidst the chaos that unfolds throughout the movie. He struggles with the implications of the tunnel on their relationship, trying to anchor Marie while facing his own challenges. His character reflects the tension between practicality and the allure of escapism.
- 🤔 Conflict
- 🕵️♂️ Protector
- G(
Gérard (Benoît Magimel)
Gérard is a flamboyant and eccentric character, whose personal issues, particularly related to his electronic transplant, bring absurdity to the story. His misadventures highlight the failed aspirations of adult life and the farcical elements of relationships. He represents the reckless side of seeking pleasure without considering consequences.
- 😂 Absurdity
- 🎉 Eccentricity
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Jeanne (Anaïs Demoustier)
Played by Anaïs Demoustier
Jeanne is depicted as a flirtatious and determined young woman, who navigates her feelings for Alain amid her relationship with Gérard. Her character explores themes of desire and rejection, serving as an agent of conflict that propels the narrative forward. She represents the volatile aspect of young love and infatuation.
- 💋 Desire
- ⚡ Turmoil
Where and When Is Incredible But True Set?
Incredible But True is set in Suburban France. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The narrative unfolds in contemporary times, exploring themes relevant to modern relationships and societal pressures. It depicts characters navigating the complexities of adult life, love, and the desire for youthfulness. Advances in technology, such as phone-controlled devices, also suggest a present-day context.
Where
Suburban France
The movie takes place in a suburban area of France, characterized by its quaint homes and quiet streets. This setting reflects the ordinary lives of the characters, contrasting sharply with the extraordinary events that unfold. It exemplifies the serene yet sometimes stagnating nature of suburban living.
- 🏡 Suburb
- 🏠 House
What Are the Themes of Incredible But True?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Time, Relationships and Identity.
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01
Time
The concept of time is central to the movie, highlighted by the tunnel that reverses aging yet accelerates the passage of moments. This theme prompts reflections on how time impacts relationships and personal desires. The characters grapple with the implications of aging and their choices, exploring the tension between youth and maturity.
-
02
Relationships
Relationships are critically examined throughout the film, showcasing the strain between Alain and Marie as well as the affair involving Gérard and Jeanne. The evolving dynamics create conflicts rooted in love, betrayal, and unrequited feelings. The film ultimately questions the sustainability of connections under the stress of life's absurdities.
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03
Identity
The quest for identity is portrayed through Marie's transformation and her longing to reclaim youth and fame. The story addresses how external changes and societal expectations challenge one's sense of self. The characters' struggles reflect broader themes of personal authenticity and the often-fragile notion of identity in the face of life's pressures.
What Kind of Film Is Incredible But True?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A surreal and darkly comedic suburban fable that steadily descends into existential horror as a couple's discovery of a time-altering tunnel exposes their desperate desires and leads to devastating physical and emotional consequences.
- surreal
- anxious
- satirical
- existential
- unsettling
- darkly comedic
- time travel
- obsession with youth
- marriage under strain
- supernatural discovery
Content notes: self harm, body horror, psychological breakdown, car crash.
Quiz
How well do you remember Incredible But True? Test yourself on the story.
