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Poster for By the Grace of God

By the Grace of God

Seen it?

2019 | 137 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. 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 anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Pursuit of Happyness, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 17 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Alexandre, a man in his 40s living in Lyon with his wife and children, discovers that the priest who abused him decades ago continues to work with children. He joins forces with others victims of the priest, to bring justice and “lift the burden of silence” about what they endured.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 15K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by François Ozon

  • Melvil PoupaudAlexandre Guérin
  • Denis MénochetFrançois Debord
  • Swann ArlaudEmmanuel Thomassin
  • Éric CaravacaGilles Perret
  • François MarthouretCardinal Philippe Barbarin
  • Bernard VerleyFather Bernard Preynat
  • Martine ErhelRégine Maire
  • Josiane BalaskoIrène, Emmanuel's Mother
  • Hélène VincentOdile Debord, François' Mother
  • François ChattotPierre Debord, François' Father