Overview
A young girl contemplates life and death while discovering unexpected friendships in her Parisian apartment.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- wistful
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- book club viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a charming, intelligent, and emotionally affecting adaptation, while noting some sentimentality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Paloma documents her family and building through articulate, trenchant reflections and observations.
Renée’s concierge persona conceals her cultivated intellect, while Kakuro and Paloma recognize depths overlooked by others.
Paloma’s pessimistic conclusions about life are challenged by art, friendship, and unexpected encounters.
The Parisian building brings Paloma, Renée, Kakuro, and the surrounding residents into repeated contact.
Films like The Hedgehog, and why
The Intouchables
intimate french literary drama blending dry humor, class observation, philosophical reflection, and a child’s unusual perspective
Amélie
warm, intelligent character drama about loneliness, unexpected connection, and finding beauty in ordinary life
The Chorus
emotionally delicate french ensemble drama pairing melancholy, wit, and transformative relationships across social divisions
My Life as a Dog
philosophical coming-of-age drama centered on precocious youth, existential questions, and renewed hope
Movie Details
- Director
- Mona Achache
- Release Date
- 2009-07-01
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (428)
Cast
- Josiane Balasko
- Garance Le Guillermic
- Togo Igawa
- Anne Brochet
- Ariane Ascaride
- Wladimir Yordanoff
- Sarah Le Picard
- Jean-Luc Porraz
- Mona Heftre
- Gisèle Casadesus
Common questions
- What is The Hedgehog about?
- A philosophically restless Parisian girl finds unexpected kinship with two adults whose hidden inner lives complicate her decision to die.
- What is The Hedgehog like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Hedgehog as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Hedgehog violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Hedgehog.
- What did critics think of The Hedgehog?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a charming, intelligent, and emotionally affecting adaptation, while noting some sentimentality.
- Which films are like The Hedgehog?
- Films with a similar feel include The Intouchables, Amélie, The Chorus, and My Life as a Dog.
- How long is The Hedgehog?
- The Hedgehog runs 100 minutes.
