Matricule 33: A Spy Drama That Doesn't Know When to Quit

Should you watch this?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for black-and-white spy melodramas that lean way too hard into the 'love conquers all' trope. If you want a tight, realistic war thriller, you're going to be annoyed by how fast the characters fall in love and throw their missions out the window.

It’s the kind of movie that feels like it was put together in a hurry. You can almost see the seams where the plot needed a shortcut.

The Spy Game

The premise is simple enough. F. Villard—our guy with the number 33—is a deserter who ends up working for the Germans. Except he's actually a French spy. It’s a messy role to play, and André Luguet looks like he’s having a minor headache for most of the runtime trying to keep his story straight.

Then there’s the German spy who decides to ditch her country because of love. It’s a massive turn. It happens so fast that I actually had to rewind a few seconds to make sure I didn't miss a scene where they actually talked for more than five minutes.

Odd Moments

There’s this one scene where a secret document is being passed around, and the lighting is just… bizarre. It’s like the lamp was placed by someone who had never seen a movie before. It makes the whole tense atmosphere feel a bit like a stage play gone wrong. 🎭

Also, the extras in the background of the office scenes seem to be doing their own thing entirely. One guy in the back left just sits there reading a newspaper for what feels like ten straight minutes. I couldn't stop looking at him.

Comparing the Vibes

If you’ve ever sat through Joan the Woman, you know that older war dramas can be heavy on the theatrics. This movie tries to keep things smaller and more personal, but it lacks that same punch. It’s not quite as weird or charming as Bulloney, either.

The dialogue is often just people whispering "You don't understand!" while staring at a closed door. It gets old fast.

Final Thoughts

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a weird little artifact. The way Edwige Feuillère plays the turncoat spy is the only thing that really holds the middle act together. Without her, the whole thing would have just drifted away.

It’s a movie that tries to be smart, but it’s really just a soap opera with uniforms. I liked it, but I don't know if I'd watch it twice. 🎞️