Netflix’s French thriller Ad Vitam delivers a high-stakes story filled with international espionage, government conspiracies, and intense action sequences. The film follows Franck (Guillaume Canet), a former elite agent, as he desperately tries to rescue his pregnant wife, Léo (Stéphane Caillard), who has been kidnapped by a masked group.
The abductors demand a piece of crucial evidence that could expose a massive cover-up by high-ranking French officials. As Franck fights to save Léo and uncover the truth, the film takes viewers on a gripping ride through Paris, filled with suspenseful confrontations and action-packed chases.
A High-Stakes Escape and the Fight for Justice
As the film reaches its climax, Franck and his ally Ben (Nassim Lyes) track down Vanaken (Johan Heldenbergh), the mercenary responsible for Léo’s kidnapping. In a high-stakes escape, Léo is wounded and goes into labor, forcing Franck to shift his focus from exposing the conspiracy to saving his wife and unborn child.
A dramatic chase follows, leading through Rambouillet Forest, Versailles, and finally to Paris, where Léo is rushed to the hospital. However, just as Franck ensures her safety, he is confronted by the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), accused of being a government mole, and ultimately arrested.
Guillaume Canet as Franck Lazareff (Photo: Ad Vitam/Netflix)Despite Franck’s imprisonment, Léo successfully delivers their baby girl and unveils a secret she had kept throughout the ordeal—a key containing the crucial evidence needed to exonerate Franck.
Determined to clear his name and expose the corruption, Léo presents the evidence in court, proving the French government’s involvement in the cover-up and revealing the truth behind Franck’s former partner Nico’s (Alexis Manenti) death. Her efforts lead to Franck’s release, allowing him to reunite with his wife and newborn daughter, bringing a temporary sense of justice and closure.
The Deeper Meaning of Ad Vitam and Possibilities for a Sequel
The title Ad Vitam, meaning “for life” in Latin, plays a significant thematic role in the film. Franck’s relentless pursuit of truth and justice reflects the phrase’s meaning, as he fights to protect his family and honor his fallen partner. A flashback reveals that Franck’s father, a former GIGN officer, had the words “Ad Vitam” engraved on his badge—a symbol that later plays a crucial role in unraveling the conspiracy.
As Franck discovers a bloodstain on the badge, DNA testing confirms that the criminals involved in Nico’s death are not ordinary criminals but undercover government operatives. This revelation sets the stage for the dangerous cat-and-mouse game that unfolds throughout the film.
Though Netflix has yet to announce a sequel, the film’s ending leaves the door open for a continuation. While Franck and Léo may have secured temporary justice, their actions have made them enemies of powerful figures within the French government.
With the couple raising their daughter in a world still plagued by political corruption, their fight may not be over yet. If a sequel is greenlit, it could delve deeper into the aftermath of their revelations and the lingering threats they face, promising another adrenaline-fueled chapter of espionage and intrigue.
