The Quiet Son

The Quiet Son (French: Jouer avec le feu, lit. 'Playing with fire') is a 2024 film directed by Delphine Coulin and Muriel Coulin starring Vincent Lindon and Benjamin Voisin as a father and son separated by political ideology.^[1] The film is based on the novel What You Need from the Night by Laurent Petitmangin.^[3]

The Quiet Son
French	Jouer avec le feu
Directed by	Delphine Coulin Muriel Coulin[1]
Screenplay by	Delphine Coulin Muriel Coulin
Based on	What You Need from the Night by Laurent Petitmangin
Produced by	Olivier Delbosc Marie Guillaumond
Starring	Vincent Lindon Benjamin Voisin
Cinematography	Frédéric Noirhomme
Edited by	Béatrice Herminie Pierre Deschamps
Music by	Pawel Mykietyn
Production companies	Felicita Films Curiosa Films
Distributed by	Ad Vitam Distribution
Release dates	September 4, 2024 (2024-09-04) (Venice) January 22, 2025 (2025-01-22) (France)
Running time	120 minutes
Country	France
Language	French
Budget	€4.4 million
Box office	$3.5 million[2]

The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival,^[4] where Lindon won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.^[5]

Premise

Pierre is the 50-year-old father of two sons. When the younger son, Louis, leaves home to attend the Sorbonne, the older son, Fus, becomes more withdrawn and takes an interest in far-right extremist ideas, testing familial bonds.^[1]

Cast

• Vincent Lindon as Pierre
• Benjamin Voisin as Felix (Fus)
• Stefan Crepon as Louis
• Sophie Guillemin as Cathy
• Édouard Sulpice as Jérémy
• Arnaud Rebotini as Bernard

Release

The Quiet Son was selected to premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival.^[4] Prior to the festival, the film was acquired for international sales by the Playtime Group.^[6]

The film was released on French theaters on 22 January 2025 by Ad Vitam Distribution.^[7]