The Cry of the Owl 1987

Robert becomes obsessed with Juliette

Parisian illustrator Robert fixates on Juliette, secretly watching her at night from the shadows around her home. Night after night he sneaks around just to catch a glimpse of her. Eventually he gathers the courage to introduce himself to Juliette and begin a relationship.

Juliette leaves Patrick for Robert

Juliette realizes she is unhappy with her fiancé Patrick and breaks off the engagement to be with Robert. The two start a relationship that draws them closer and changes Juliette's life. The shift also heightens tension with those around them.

Robert grows uneasy with Juliette's advances

Robert is not happy with Juliette's obtrusive advances, and the relationship becomes strained. He wants more distance even as Juliette pursues him. The initial romance begins to feel uneasy for him.

Patrick attacks Robert by the river

One night, Patrick confronts Robert in a deserted area and attacks him. Robert defends himself and knocks Patrick unconscious, leaving him on the shores of a nearby river. The confrontation disrupts both men's lives and sets the plot in motion.

Police interrogation and disappearance

The next day, Robert is interrogated by the police as Patrick remains missing. With Patrick absent, Robert suddenly becomes the prime suspect in his mysterious disappearance. The investigation begins to probe Robert's involvement in the incident.

Patrick's alliance with Véronique

Unknown to Robert, Patrick has allied with his ex-wife Véronique to take revenge. They hide Patrick's whereabouts to make authorities think Robert killed him. The plan exploits the growing suspicion around Robert to derail his life.

Robert's life unravels under suspicion

Robert's professional and private life falls apart as the police treat him as the prime suspect. Friends and colleagues distance themselves as rumors and evidence are scrutinized. He fights to prove his innocence while his reputation crumbles.

Juliette's suicide and Patrick's vendetta

Juliette dies by suicide, deepening the tragedy and confusion surrounding the case. Patrick escalates his vendetta against Robert, seizing every opportunity to torment him. The cycle of revenge intensifies as secrets begin to surface.

Vendetta escalates toward a final clash

The animosity between Patrick and Robert builds toward a climactic confrontation. The tension spills into multiple encounters as both men push toward a decisive showdown. Véronique's scheming and the police investigation hang in the balance.

Final confrontation and Véronique's death

In the climactic confrontation, Véronique is accidentally killed and Patrick is defeated. The victory comes at a cost, leaving Robert's status as a suspect intact. The scene seals the tragedy and the sense that justice remains unsettled.

The aftermath: Robert remains a suspect

Even after the confrontation, the police suspect Robert again in the apparent crime scene. The death of Véronique and Patrick's defeat do not clear his name. The investigation casts a long shadow over his life and career.