François Ozon’s sterling adaptation of Albert Camus’ landmark novel is a gripping account of human absurdity in 1930s French-colonised Algeria.
It is a hot summer day when Meursault learns about his mother’s passing. What follows is a series of events leading to a tragedy that questions the intentions and moral standing of the protagonist. Shot with a muted palette and featuring understated performances, Ozon superbly captures Meursault’s stillness, passivity and lack of compassion, making us witnesses to his sociopathy.