The Crimson Rivers

The first installment of a loose trilogy of crime thrillers associated with Jean Reno as an investigator of brutal crimes is still a relatively decent film, though the weaknesses that sank the following two sequels are already apparent. The screenplay is underdeveloped and clearly prioritizes flashy visuals and shocking revelations over logical consistency, taking evident inspiration from successful American thrillers, notably Se7en. The attempt to emulate Fincher's directorial style is evident in several specific scenes. The result is an uneven film with an awkward ending, but it still has several audience-appealing moments and a dark, though inconsistent, atmosphere. Overall impression: 55%. (06/24/2006)

The subject matter is very enticing, the actors are excellent, the atmosphere is as sharp as a French guillotine for most of the time and, most importantly, the entire first half is the most stylish, chilling and impressive thriller since Fincher's Se7en. But, as much as the beginning thrilled me and the amazing atmosphere, together with the disgusting murders, burrowed deep under my skin, the second half, with its inconsistency and steep decline of creativity, made me feel like a little boy who has believed in Santa Claus all his childhood and finally learns that everything is completely different. Yet I might have forgiven everything if the filmmakers had come up with a quality and meaningful conclusion that would have put me back in the right mood and left me with my mouth open least as much as the great opening. Alas, what finally happened on the screen, I would like to cut it out of the film for good, burn it and throw the ashes into a lake somewhere, because it literally brought the whole thing and its strongly depressing atmosphere down a peg. I can't say that The Crimson Rivers a is a disappointment, but I'm very annoyed with how the filmmakers managed to screw up such a good film with such excellent actors. At least it showed once again how unmatched the aforementioned Se7en is in the genre. (11/26/2012)

An enjoyable old-school detective film. It may not surprise today, but it must have been shocking at the time. It evokes Se7en, so there's no shortage of morbid murders, the idea and motive of the killer are also quite unorthodox and pleasing. And when you add in the excellent shots in the mountains and the overall setting, plus a fine Jean Reno, it's a winner. It won't wow you, but it's just a good watch. (10/12/2023)

Kassovitz successfully conveys the dark atmosphere, and Reno and Cassel are charismatic enough to pull the whole film off just fine. But there are some moments, or rather, entire scenes that are so blatantly ripped-off of Se7en that it’s almost embarrassing. The ending is also contrived and full of clichés. It’s a pity, without that it would have been a very good thriller. (07/03/2002)

I like the way the film works. The plot is clever and keeps you in suspense; there are shocking scenes, scenes that can really scare you. Neimans's fear of dogs is an interesting touch and makes the detective a human legend with flaws after all. What spoils the film is the somewhat rushed ending that relies too heavily on the point, to which some viewers will probably say: "Really? This again?" It might not sit well with everyone, but the film builds up to the finale correctly and is gripping in the way it should be. (01/12/2014)