Overview
A gripping investigation unfolds as a police inspector confronts a suspected murderer in a tense interrogation.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- claustrophobic
- brooding
- paranoid
- late night viewing
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an engrossing, claustrophobic psychological thriller whose strong acting and editing overcome the stage-bound, talk-heavy material, though some felt its unfolding damaged its own logic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Inspector Antoine Gallien holds Jérôme Martinaud for hours of questioning over suspected child murders.
Gallien's suspicions and Martinaud's responses create a shifting contest over what can be believed.
The film is identified as neo-noir and frames its French investigation through claustrophobia, suspicion, and moral darkness.
The prolonged police questioning and largely enclosed setting make confinement a central source of tension.
Films like The Inquisitor, and why
The Interview
claustrophobic police interrogation, psychological uncertainty, and neo-noir crime drama
The Secret in Their Eyes
morally ambiguous investigation, intense verbal conflict, and oppressive procedural atmosphere
The Pledge
contained crime mystery driven by interrogation, suspicion, and shifting perceptions
Movie Details
- Director
- Claude Miller
- Release Date
- 1981-09-23
- Runtime
- 84 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (290)
Cast
- Lino Ventura
- Michel Serrault
- Romy Schneider
- Guy Marchand
- Pierre Maguelon
- Serge Malik
- Jean-Claude Penchenat
- Yves Pignot
- Mathieu Schiffman
- Didier Agostini
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- France Channel Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Inquisitor about?
- An uncompromising French interrogation thriller turns a suspected child-murder case into a claustrophobic duel of suspicion, testimony, and marital secrets.
- What is The Inquisitor like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Inquisitor as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Inquisitor violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Inquisitor as mild.
- What did critics think of The Inquisitor?
- Critics broadly found the film an engrossing, claustrophobic psychological thriller whose strong acting and editing overcome the stage-bound, talk-heavy material, though some felt its unfolding damaged its own logic.
- Which films are like The Inquisitor?
- Films with a similar feel include The Interview, The Secret in Their Eyes, and The Pledge.
- How long is The Inquisitor?
- The Inquisitor runs 84 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Inquisitor?
- In United States, The Inquisitor streams on France Channel Amazon Channel.
