Movies - Case 137: Special Screening at the Grand Rex Following the César des Lycéens

By Mulder, 16 march 2026

The film Case 137, directed by Dominik Moll, continues to establish itself as one of the most talked-about French feature films of the season after winning the 2026 César des Lycéens, an award voted on by 2,517 high school seniors from 115 classes in general, technical, and vocational high schools in France and abroad. As part of this award, the César Academy and the Ministry of National Education, with the support of BNP Paribas, are organizing a special screening at the Grand Rex in Paris, attended by the film’s crew and nearly 1,000 invited guests. The initiative is part of an effort to bring young people closer to French auteur cinema, an approach already seen in recent years but which takes on a special significance here, given how much Dominik Moll’s film has sparked debate and discussion in high schools, particularly around its themes related to institutions, responsibility, and perspectives on contemporary violence. As is often the case with this award, the high school audience demonstrated a different sensibility than that of traditional juries, favoring a film that is socially engaged, tense, and deeply human, carried by a performance that has been unanimously praised.

Released in France on November 19, 2025, and distributed by Haut et Court, Case 137 (international title Case 137) is a crime drama co-written by Dominik Moll and Gilles Marchand, a duo already recognized for their ability to blend narrative tension with precise social observation. The film stars Léa Drucker, Jonathan Turnbull, Mathilde Roehrich, Guslagie Malanda, Stanislas Merhar, Sandra Colombo, Valentin Campagne, Mathilde Riu, Côme Péronnet, Solàn Machado-Graner, Théo Costa-Marini, Théo Navarro-Mussy, and Florence Viala, in an investigation following Stéphanie Bertrand, an inspector with the IGPN, as she tackles a seemingly routine case involving the use of a rubber bullet during a protest—a case that gradually takes on a more personal and unsettling dimension. The film, produced by Carole Scotta, Caroline Benjo, Barbara Letellier, and Simon Arnal, stands out for its deliberately understated direction, supported by Patrick Ghiringhelli’s cinematography, Laurent Rouan’s editing, and Olivier Marguerit’s music—all elements that contribute to the tense and realistic atmosphere that left a lasting impression on audiences during its initial screenings.

The film’s journey truly began on the Croisette, with a selection in the official competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it was presented on May 15 in the race for the Palme d’Or. The Cannes screening was preceded by a highly publicized incident when General Delegate Thierry Frémaux announced that actor Théo Navarro-Mussy would not walk the red carpet due to ongoing legal charges, a decision made in agreement with the production. Dominik Moll stated at the time that he understood this choice, noting that the situation was unrelated to the film itself. This incident, though not directly linked to the film, helped put *Case 137* in the spotlight from its world premiere, amplifying the attention already focused on a film that was highly anticipated following the critical success of the filmmaker’s previous works. After Cannes, the feature film was also screened at the 2025 Sarajevo Film Festival, before being acquired for North America by Film Movement, confirming the international interest in this French crime drama with a realistic tone.

Filming, which took place between October and December 2024, was shot in Paris, Saint-Ouen, Saint-Dizier, and Vitry-le-François, locations chosen for their authenticity and proximity to the social milieu the film seeks to portray. This commitment to realism is evident in the screenplay itself, which eschews spectacle in favor of a methodical, almost documentary-style progression in the way the investigation unfolds. This approach has, in fact, divided some critics, while eliciting almost unanimous respect for Léa Drucker’s performance, which was honored with the César Award for Best Actress. Several international observers, including Peter Bradshaw for The Guardian, Sophie Monks Kaufman for IndieWire, and Tim Grierson for Screen Daily, have highlighted the film’s rigor—sometimes deemed austere—yet always carried by a central performance considered remarkable, while Stephanie Bunbury (Deadline) and Guy Lodge (Variety) have particularly praised the authenticity of Léa Drucker’s performance as well as that of Solàn Machado-Graner.

With excellent reviews, Case 137 has established itself as a solid work of contemporary French cinema, capable of resonating with international festivals, specialized critics, and now high school audiences. The special screening organized at the Grand Rex thus appears as another milestone in the film’s journey, almost a natural extension of its path, where institutional recognition meets the enthusiasm of a young audience. This type of event serves as a reminder that certain films find their true resonance after their release, through discussions, debates, and special screenings, and that the success of a feature film is measured not only by box office receipts but also by its ability to provoke reflection and dialogue—something Dominik Moll seems to have achieved with rare precision.

Synopsis:
Case 137 appears to be just another case for Stéphanie, an investigator with the IGPN, the police watchdog. A tense demonstration, a young man injured by an LBD shot—circumstances that need to be clarified to establish responsibility. But an unexpected element will unsettle Stéphanie, for whom Case 137 becomes more than just a number.

Case 137
Directed by Dominik Moll
Written by Dominik Moll and Gilles Marchand
Produced by Carole Scotta, Caroline Benjo, Barbara Letellier, and Simon Arnal
Starring Léa Drucker, Jonathan Turnbull, Mathilde Roehrich, Guslagie Malanda, Stanislas Merhar, Sandra Colombo, Valentin Campagne, Mathilde Riu, Côme Péronnet, Solàn Machado-Graner, Théo Costa-Marini, Théo Navarro-Mussy, Florence Viala
Director of Photography: Patrick Ghiringhelli
Editing: Laurent Rouan
Music: Olivier Marguerit
Production companies: Haut et Court, France 2 Cinéma
Distribution: Haut et Court (France)
Release dates: May 15, 2025 (Cannes), November 19, 2025 (France)
Runtime: 115 minutes