Misericordia, from writer-director Alain Guiraudie, is a taut black comedy thriller set in a rural French village. When J√©r√©mie returns home to attend the funeral of his former mentor, he stays with the mentor's widow MartineÑmuch to the disapproval of her son, Vincent. Tensions escalate, and Vincent disappears under mysterious circumstances; J√©r√©mie must navigate suspicion, desire, and secrets in the insular community, aided by a local priest who offers him protection in exchange for emotional favor. The film blends moral ambiguity, erotic undercurrents, and a quiet, suspenseful mood as Guiraudie dismantles small-town facades.

Misericordia premiered in the Cannes Premiere section in May 2024 and won the 2024 Louis Delluc Prize.

Special Features

¥ Meet the Filmmakers: Alain Guiraudie,¬†a Criterion Channel original interview

¥ Trailer

¥ Notes by critic Imogen Sara Smith