# The Eighth Day (1996)

> An emotionally vivid French-Belgian dramedy about a lonely businessman whose accidental friendship with a man with Down syndrome reshapes his understanding of family and connection.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/23058

## Facts

- Runtime: 118 min
- Genres: Drama
- Director: Jaco Van Dormael
- Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Pascal Duquenne, Miou-Miou, Henri Garcin, Isabelle Sadoyan, Fabienne Loriaux, Juliette Van Dormael, Sabrina Leurquin
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116581/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: none
- Mood: tender, melancholic, whimsical, reflective evening, international cinema night

## Synopsis

A chance encounter transforms a busy man's life as he learns the value of friendship and acceptance.

## Movies like The Eighth Day

- [The Specials (2019)](https://ember.film/movie/405223)
- [Little White Lies 2 (2019)](https://ember.film/movie/378595)
- [The Girl on the Bridge (1999)](https://ember.film/movie/5489)
- [Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud (1995)](https://ember.film/movie/7281)
- [The Intouchables (2011)](https://ember.film/movie/54357)
- [My Best Friend (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/2604)
- [Ari (2025)](https://ember.film/movie/3940103)
- [Me Too (2009)](https://ember.film/movie/30297)
- [Vincent Wants to Sea (2010)](https://ember.film/movie/32108)
- [Conversations with My Gardener (2007)](https://ember.film/movie/2607)

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