In less than a week of broadcast, the film To Life already had 17.1 million views. In twelve days, he accumulated nearly 25.5 million. Launched on Netflix on January 10, the feature film is taking the lead in France, Belgium and Brazil. It is also in the top 10 of 93 countries in total, and joins the thriller Under the Seine in the top most viewed French and international films on the platform.
A very good start, therefore, for this feature film in which we find Guillaume Canet and Nassim Lyes. However, despite these impressive figures, critics remain divided.
A scenario already seen and dialogues without emotion: the critics unconvinced
The story is that of Franck Lazarev – member of the GIGN – and his partner, Leo, met in his elite unit. The couple is expecting a happy event, but a mistake will cause Franck the worst worries. While he holds evidence that implicates a few dignitaries, some would prefer to see Franck dead rather than a happy dad.
And for this new film, Guillaume Canet gives everything. He co-writes, co-produces and performs his character from start to finish. Although a victim of dizziness in real life, for his protagonist, the actor gives everything: he abseils along the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur, he runs on the Parisian rooftops and flies over the park of the Palace of Versailles on a paramotor electric.
A few days after the film’s release, press reviews were mixed.“Who does Guillaume Canet think he is? Liam Neeson or Olivier Marchal? Both, with a penchant for the latter, with the look of a French cop required”assures Télérama in its columns. A “Guillaume Canet caricatured as a GIGN policeman” which also does not convince Le Parisien with its “recipe view and action movie review”. A flat storyline, emotionless dialogue and a flashback sequence that seems endless. This is what we remember from the media criticism. But what do the platform’s subscribers think?
-“I watched Ad Vitam on Netflix for you. Don’t feel like you have to do the same.”whispers an Internet user on X, visibly not convinced. “I have to say that it was a very, very average film. Poorly paced, too long flashback, uninspired dialogue. We have the impression that the director didn’t know how to edit his film. Very disappointed with the film even if I didn’t like it. expected nothing”, confides another, no more convinced.
“Worst film I have ever seen”, “A real piece of shit”, “A turnip, nothing more”, “The screenplay fits on a quarter of a stamp”, “A terrible piece of rubbish unfortunately”, “Too many incredible stunts”, “Of infinite boredom”… The scenario is obviously not pleasing, but what about the actors? “Guillaume Canet does not have the physique and above all, he is no longer old enough. Belmondo is not the one who wants”stings a woman on X.
“It’s excellent, 10/10. The acting and direction are incredible”
“Ad Vitam on Netflix was really fun to watch, 10/10!” On the other side of the Channel, our neighbors seem delighted with our French game. Many people give it an excellent rating, ensuring that it is a “very good action movie”. But foreigners are not the only ones to have validated this new film. On X as on Tiktok, many do not hesitate to give a positive opinion on the feature film.
“He is very good. Guillaume Canet is masterful, like the other actors. I really liked it”says a mother. “I saw him yesterday and he is incredible”assures another a little further away. “The suspense is there and the plot is well constructed, I loved it.”
“I just finished it! It’s excellent, 10/10. The acting and direction are incredible”underlines a young woman on TikTok. “It’s the best French film I’ve seen”admits another. “I completely agree. The film is great: emotion, action, suspense… Bravo to the actors and the whole team”we can read further.“A nugget”, “It’s a masterpiece”, “Excellent action film”, “A killing”, “Beautiful film, nothing to complain about”, “It’s brilliant”…
The son of Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard for the first time on screen
Marcel, the eldest son of Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard, takes his first steps in the cinema. In Ad Vitam, the 13-year-old plays Franck’s nephew. And we must admit: he is doing particularly well. So, his first experience on a film set may have given him some ideas… who knows!
