Anatomy of a Fall

Anatomy of a Fall begins on a stunning image, an overview of the French Alpine town of Montepierre, later to be shrouded in tears and sorrow, where Sara (Sandra Hüller) lives with her husband Thomas (Swann Arlaud) and their adopted son Laurent (Lucan Wilmut), who suffers from complete darkness. Sara works as a tutor and also helps her friend Léa (Léna Quincy) with taking care of her husband's horse farm. Their quiet and peaceful lives take an unexpected turn when Thomas's body is found dead in the French Alps underneath the horse ramp of his business presumably giving his demise an indication of an accident. Laurent is found tied to the horse ramp, shaken, however silent. This jarring incident opens a can of worms and sets the stage for a series of happenings that expose the true relationship between Sara, Thomas, and their son. While the chief inspector (Marina Foïs) investigates and searches for justice, many aspects of Sara's life, including her relationship with her son and her adopted fatherly figure husband Thomas, become subject of scrutiny. Sara's increasing unease drives her to be more defensive, whereas her friend Léa shows the detective inconsistencies in their alibis. Years prior to the night of Thomas's death, there were hints of doubt from the loving father figure that Thomas sometimes portrayed. Sara revealed to Inspector LeGuinnec (Philippe Girard), the questioning became increasingly personal with issues involving their relationship leading to disturbing conversations which set forth unaddressed marital issues despite their amicable acts, hinting to some questionable behavior including suspicions between Sara and their son. All these unsettling mysteries around the unsolved death pull the young guardian, Laurent, further down a path which clouds the meaning of loyalty, love, and betrayal.