“Ad Vitam” Struggles Between Action Thrills and Emotional Depth

What would you do if you had to choose between life and death with no way out?

Rodolphe Lauga’s “Ad Vitam” (2025) sticks closely to the conventions of action thrillers, exploring love, loyalty, and impossible choices. Yet, while the film delivers high-stakes action, it struggles to create an emotional connection with its characters.

Known for “It’s Complicated “(2014) and “Red 2 “(2013), French actor and screenwriter Rodolphe Lauga returns after a decade with “Ad Vitam”.

The film follows Franck (Guillaume Canet), a former elite agent whose pregnant wife, Léo (Stéphane Caillard), is kidnapped by a group tied to his past. With the police also hunting him for a suspected murder, Franck must navigate deadly encounters to save her.

The film opens with a gripping action sequence, establishing the deep bond between Franck and Léo. However, the narrative quickly leans heavily on flashbacks, revealing their history in the French Elite Intervention Squad (GIGN). While this provides insight into Franck’s dismissal from the force and the events leading to Léo’s kidnapping, it also slows the present-day tension.

An action thriller thrives on urgency, but “Ad Vitam” often lingers on backstory rather than letting the stakes drive the momentum. The film attempts to balance its action with emotional weight but falls short—particularly in Franck and Léo’s relationship. Their chemistry lacks depth, making Léo’s kidnapping feel more like a plot device than a personal tragedy.

Franck, positioned as a Mission: Impossible-style hero, doesn’t fully convey the desperation of a man racing against time. His reactions feel muted, as though he already knows Léo won’t be killed. Meanwhile, Léo—despite being a trained GIGN officer—is reduced to the ‘damsel in distress’ trope, with minimal agency in her own survival.

The action sequences, particularly the car chases and hand-to-hand combat, are well-executed, supported by tight editing and a blue-dominated visual palette that reinforces the film’s gritty tone. However, some stunts, such as Franck’s rooftop leaps, push believability.

At its best, “Ad Vitam” explores loyalty and sacrifice. The film forces Franck into impossible choices, heightening the tension. Yet, its reliance on flashbacks and underdeveloped emotional stakes prevent it from fully delivering on its premise.

The film leaves audiences with a lingering question: Would you risk your life for love? But it doesn’t quite provide a compelling enough reason to stay invested in the answer.

Release Date: January 10, 2025
Streaming Service: Netflix
Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Directed by: Rodolphe Lauga
Cast: Guillaume Canet, Stéphane Caillard, Jamel Blissat, Rayan Bouazza, Maurice Chan
TNR Scorecard: