Mystery Unfolds in ‘Misericordia,’ a Radically Different Murder Mystery

A Provocative Stranger Returns Home

Alain Guiraudie’s marvelously unsentimental French thriller begins in a mood of death, one it never quite shakes as events pick up in a twisty way. A baker has died. He lived in the remote commune of Saint-Martial, making loaves for what appear to be a small number of neighbors. Jérémie (Félix Kysyl), at one time a teenage apprentice to this man but now a drifting, wan-faced adult with a lank crop of hair, has returned to stand by his corpse and grieve. Or maybe he’s not grieving so much as thinking, back in the town of his boyhood where the baker’s widow, Martine (Catherine Frot), stirred by Jérémie’s presence, insists he stay a while in the empty bedroom of his ex-chum Vincent (Jean-Baptiste Durand), now grown up and moved out with his own family. There’s a backstory here, salty and suggestive, but Guiraudie sprinkles it on as sparingly as he can, waiting for his plot to rise to fullness.

Jérémie may have loved his mentor, his wife, too, maybe more than that. And Vincent isn’t crazy about his homecoming. “Misericordia,” both as a title and a film, would suggest a plunge into mourning or, to go by the Latin translation, something close to compassionate mercy. Delightfully, Guiraudie has no interest in making that movie. He launches Jérémie down the street like an inscrutable chaos agent in rumpled denim, tensely wrestling in the woods with Vincent and flirting with Walter (David Ayala), a slovenly layabout who doesn’t mind drinking with company.

Chaos Agent in Rummaged Denim

Jérémie’s insertion into the community: Curious, lonely, and aggressive. Guiraudie’s Chabrolian tautness: A filmmaker’s distinct style.

Unconventional Storytelling

No sentimental mourning: Guiraudie’s focus on the plot’s twists and turns. Sprinkling backstory hints: Salty and suggestive, but not too revealing.

Characters Liberated from Morality

Guiraudie’s dimensional characters: Free from morality, but also dangerous. Queer focus and liberated characters.

Jérémie’s Character Development: Tense, Curious, and Aggressive

In Alain Guiraudie’s “Misericordia,” the character of Jérémie, played by Félix Kysyl, serves as the engine of the film’s narrative and emotional tension. His return to the small town of Saint-Martial, where he once apprenticed under the baker who has just died, sets in motion a series of events that both unsettle and intrigue the audience. Jérémie’s demeanor oscillates between curiosity, loneliness, and a palpable aggression, making him a compelling and complex figure.

Kysyl’s portrayal of Jérémie is nuanced, capturing the character’s internal conflict and his external interactions with the town’s inhabitants. Jérémie’s presence in Vincent’s former bedroom, now empty, fuels an atmosphere of unease. His interactions with other characters, such as his flirtations with Walter and his tense encounters with Vincent, further underscore his multifaceted personality. This character development is crucial to the film’s tension, creating a palpable sense of foreboding that propels the narrative forward.

Nighttime Surprises and Tensions

Vincent’s Hovering Over Jérémie: Unsettling Atmosphere and Dark Comedy

The dynamic between Vincent and Jérémie is central to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Vincent, now a grown man with a family of his own, harbors a mix of resentment and curiosity toward Jérémie’s return. His persistent presence around the house, particularly his late-night surveillance, adds a layer of dark comedy to the film. The tension that builds between them is a key element in the film’s exploration of past and present relationships, as well as the unspoken undercurrents that drive the narrative.

The Local Cops’ Unhurried Approach: A Refreshing Take on the Murder Mystery Genre

The police force in “Misericordia” is portrayed with a refreshing honesty that rarely appears in the murder mystery genre. The two local officers, played by Sébastien Faglain and Salomé Lopes, are not the conventional, hyper-vigilant detectives. Instead, they approach the investigation with a laid-back attitude that contrasts sharply with the urgency of most murder mystery plots. This unhurried approach not only provides a few moments of dark comedy but also allows the film to focus on the human elements of the story rather than just the mechanics of the crime.

The Priest’s Bold Streak

Father Philippe, portrayed by Jacques Develay, is another key figure in “Misericordia.” His enigmatic presence and his penchant for appearing at critical moments in the plot add an intriguing layer to the mystery. His character, while seemingly supportive, carries a hidden agenda that contributes to the film’s overall tension. Father Philippe’s bold streak and his mysterious actions create a juxtaposition between his role as a religious figure and his actions that seem to defy the expectations of such a role. This duality enriches the film’s exploration of moral ambiguity and the complexity of human nature.

A Sophisticated Murder Mystery

Subverting Conventions

Alain Guiraudie’s “Misericordia” is a radical departure from the traditional murder mystery genre. The film eschews the typical orchestral crescendos and jump scares characteristic of suspenseful thrillers. Instead, Marc Verdaguer’s score provides a subtle, synthy backdrop that heightens the film’s eerie and unsettling atmosphere without resorting to obvious dramatic cues. This deliberate flow and pacing allow the film to maintain a level of sophistication and depth that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The murder itself, while a pivotal event, is not the sole focus of the film. Instead, “Misericordia” delves into the nuances of human behavior and the intricate web of relationships within the small community. This focus on human dynamics and interpersonal interactions allows for a richer character exploration, making the film a profound and layered experience rather than a straightforward crime thriller.

Mulchy Inevitability

One of the central themes of “Misericordia” is the inevitability of returning home, not just physically but emotionally and psychologically. The film suggests that when one returns to their origins, they often carry a new set of intentions and perspectives. Jérémie’s return to Saint-Martial, for instance, is not just a visit but a return laden with unresolved emotions and hidden agendas. This return home is a metaphor for the film’s central question: What happens when the past and present collide?

The metaphor of the community’s morel mushrooms, which grow over shallow graves, further reinforces the idea of inevitable return and the natural cycle of life, death, and renewal. This theme is woven throughout the film, creating a sense of inevitability that is both unsettling and profound, as it suggests that no matter how far we travel, we are destined to be pulled back into the web of our past, whether we like it or not.

A Refreshing Take on the Murder Mystery

“Misericordia” offers a unique approach to the genre by eschewing the conventional puzzle-solving format common in many murder mysteries. Rather than focusing solely on the mechanics of the crime, the film delves into the psychological and emotional layers of its characters. This approach allows Guiraudie to explore the complexities of human behavior and the unpredictable nature of human relationships, which is far more compelling and realistic than a straightforward investigation. The film’s refusal to emphasize punishment as a primary concern shifts the narrative to a more nuanced and sophisticated exploration of human interaction and moral ambiguity.