Renaissance
In a starkly rendered 2054 Paris, a disillusioned police captain follows a scientist’s kidnapping into a conspiracy involving corporate power, stolen identities, and a buried past.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- paranoid
- oppressive
- late night sci fi
- cyberpunk double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the film’s stark noir animation and science-fiction world are visually impressive, while its storytelling is less compelling than its design.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film presents 2054 Paris through black-and-white shadows, right angles, and highly controlled motion-captured imagery.
Karas and Bislane investigate Ilona’s kidnapping while clues point toward missing files and events in 2006.
Avalon’s health-and-beauty monopoly is linked to identity theft, missing research, and the central kidnapping.
The plot repeatedly questions the identities and motives surrounding Ilona’s disappearance, including the question of who the victim is.
Films like Renaissance, and why
Ghost in the Shell
shared cyberpunk setting, neo-noir investigation, dystopian corporate power, and stylized animation
Blade Runner
shared futuristic noir atmosphere, identity mystery, corporate control, and stark high-contrast visual design
Akira
shared animated science fiction, dystopian institutions, conspiracy thriller structure, and adult themes
The Congress
shared French animated science fiction, bleak futurism, investigative plotting, and striking visual world-building
Movie Details
- Director
- Christian Volckman
- Release Date
- 2006-03-16
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (300)
Cast
- Patrick Floersheim
- Virginie Mery
- Laura Blanc
- Gabriel Le Doze
- Marc Cassot
- Bruno Choël
- Jérôme Pauwels
- Marc Alfos
- Clémentine Baert
- Jim Adhi Limas
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Renaissance about?
- In a starkly rendered 2054 Paris, a disillusioned police captain follows a scientist’s kidnapping into a conspiracy involving corporate power, stolen identities, and a buried past.
- What is Renaissance like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Renaissance as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Renaissance violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Renaissance as moderate.
- What did critics think of Renaissance?
- Critics broadly agreed that the film’s stark noir animation and science-fiction world are visually impressive, while its storytelling is less compelling than its design.
- Which films are like Renaissance?
- Films with a similar feel include Ghost in the Shell, Blade Runner, Akira, and The Congress.
- How long is Renaissance?
- Renaissance runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Renaissance?
- In United States, Renaissance is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
