The Rays and Shadows
Seen it?2026 | 199 min | Drama, History
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a box office flop and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 19 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 3 hr 19 min.
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Jean and Otto, a French newspaperman and a young German Francophile, are fighting for peace in Europe. Jean’s daughter, Corinne, is launching a brilliant acting career in the film world, but war breaks out and France is occupied. The two friends have a major role to play in this new France. Jean becomes a big press baron and an ardent advocate of collaboration with the occupying forces, while Otto becomes the Reich’s ambassador in Paris. Corinne, meanwhile, finds herself thrown into the lion’s pit.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
Award season hasn't happened yet, so this isn't counted.
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
Not enough engagement data yet
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Cast & crew
Directed by Xavier Giannoli
- Jean DujardinJean Luchaire
- Nastya Golubeva CaraxCorinne Luchaire
- August DiehlOtto Abetz
- Olivier ChantreauGuy de Voisins
- Anna PróchniakLydia Rogers
- Lucile VignollesSuzanne de Bruyker
- Chloé AstorFrançoise Luchaire
- Vincent ColombeGuy Crouzet
- Maria Cavalier-BazanEva
- Valeriu AndriuțăLéonide Moguy