The Stranger
Seen it?2025 | 122 min | Drama, Crime
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Algiers, 1938. Meursault, a quiet and unassuming employee in his early thirties, attends his mother's funeral without shedding a tear. The next day, he begins a casual affair with Marie, a work colleague. He quickly slips back into his usual routine.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Venice award.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$9 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 231K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by François Ozon
- Benjamin VoisinMeursault
- Rebecca MarderMarie Cardona
- Pierre LottinRaymond Sintès
- Denis LavantSalamano
- Swann ArlaudChaplain
- Christophe MalavoyJudge
- Nicolas VaudeProsecutor
- Jean-Charles ClichetExamining Magistrate
- Mireille PerrierMeursault's Mother
- Hajar BouzaouitDjemila