Les hommes oubliés: A strange, quiet walk through nowhere

Is it worth the time?

Honestly, it depends on your patience levels today. If you want something that hits you over the head with a plot, stay away. But if you’re the kind of person who likes watching dust motes dance in a shaft of light for a bit too long, you’ll probably find something to love here.

It’s one of those films that refuses to hold your hand. You’re just dropped into these lives, and you either sink or you swim. I enjoyed the sinking part.

The weight of nothing much

Alexandre Ryder has this look on his face for most of the runtime that says he’s seen everything and forgot most of it. There’s a scene near the middle where he’s just sitting by a fence, staring at a field. It lasts for an eternity. My coffee went cold while I was watching it, but I didn't care.

The cinematography feels like it was shot through a dirty window. It works, though. It keeps everything grounded in that weird, uncomfortable reality that most big studio movies try to polish away.

Echoes of other things

I couldn't help but compare the pacing to The Revolutionist, though this is much less shouty. It has a similar feeling to No More West in how it treats its landscape like a character that’s actively trying to kick everyone out.

There’s a moment with a rusted-out truck that felt almost like a joke the film was telling itself. It didn't lead to any big reveal. It just sat there. Rusting. Just like the characters.

• The silence in the third act is almost deafening.
• Ryder’s boots look like they’ve walked across the entire continent.
• The background extras in the market scene look like they have no idea a movie is being filmed.

It’s not perfect. The ending just kind of... stops. Like the budget ran out or the director got bored. But in a weird way, that feels more honest than some big, fake explosion or a forced hug.

It’s a small film. It doesn't ask for your attention. It just waits for you to give it, if you’re in the mood. 🎞️