Watch
Secret Defense

Secret Defense

1998
Drama, Crime
2h 50m
A young biologist (Sylvie) is thrown into confusion when her brother (Paul) tries to persuade her that their father, who fell off a train five years ago, was actually killed by his right hand man (Walser). Walser now runs their father's company. Sylvie is not convinced, but Paul has decided to have his revenge.
Your probable score
?

Secret Defense

1998
Drama, Crime
2h 50m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 64.6% from 81 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(81)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 15 Aug 2010
5
80th
Another Rivette and another side of the director is revealed; this time in a thriller most immediately recalling Hitchcock. His understanding of motivation and human interaction go a long way in making this plot successful (with credit going to the actors/writers, as well). A nearly 30 minute dialogue-free segment is a highlight.
Rated 10 Apr 2012
65
71st
A film that is constantly on the move, featuring an interesting protagonist and a narrative that perhaps plays around with Greek myth and audience expectations (not entirely successfully). Nevertheless, this is not quite as riveting as the best Rivettes.
Rated 13 Dec 2014
6
83rd
perhaps the scenario is a little more typical, and perhaps the mystery is rather more transparent, but this is still an intriguing murder mystery that deals honestly with the emotional consequences of death, has very interesting character motivations, and contains an excellent female protagonist, as is the norm for rivette movies.
Rated 20 Jun 2020
85
93rd
Rivette's pacing of this film is sublime. The only certainty the viewer has to anchor themselves is the estate with everything else a haze. Bonnaire as Sylvie is impressive in her Huppert-like performance, but it's Radziwiłowicz as Walser that really fixes the viewer's attention. While a sense of doom hangs over most of the film, it's to Rivette's credit that the film is never threatening; it's almost comforting.
Rated 06 Sep 2021
78
68th
Rivette meets Chabrol.

Collections

(8)
Compact view
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

No Trailer