Dossier 137: The Film They Don’t Want You To See!

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Dominik Moll’s crime thriller, “Dossier 137,” offers a gripping examination of corruptive police institutionalism. Similar to his other works, the director skillfully delves into sociopolitical ideas regarding morality. In this film, he does so masterfully by portraying an Internal Affairs officer in 2018 Paris amidst the turbulent Yellow Vests protests. Remarkably, “Dossier 137” maintains a non-biased stance on police brutality, refusing to sensationalize or take sides. Instead, this movie provides the essential elements to underscore that rotten systems can breed bad apples.

The narrative revolves around Stephanie (played by Léa Drucker), an Internal Affairs officer, who finds herself in the challenging position of scrutinizing her fellow officers’ actions on duty. From the very beginning, we witness her grappling with a case that seems straightforward yet proves to be otherwise complex. A police officer carelessly hurls a stone into a crowd of protesters during a heated moment. Given his decade-long service and lack of previous offenses, it appears as though this could have been an impulsive reaction. Since no one was harmed, he was merely warned, and Stephanie’s task was completed.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase Case 137 as follows: In a city grappling with wage inequality and tax hikes, I find myself, Guillaume Girard (Côme Péronnet), at the heart of an unfathomable tragedy – a shooting by an LBD gun during a protest. With scant evidence and few witnesses, tracking down the perpetrators seems like a daunting task. Amidst the disapproval from my peers, including my former husband/officer Jérémy (Stanislas Merhar), Stéphanie must navigate the delicate balance between pursuing justice and maintaining loyalty.

Dossier 137 Forces Us To Question Our Role In Protecting Justice & Morality

137 File exhibits a direct approach that startled the 2025 Cannes crowd, largely because of Moll’s candid expression through his script, echoing the sentiment “one rotten apple can spoil the barrel.” Stephanie’s character straddles a gray area regarding brutality and what is deemed necessary, primarily due to her background as a cop. However, Moll consistently presents chances for Stephanie to uphold integrity, even if it means challenging the system itself in her pursuit of righteousness.

The idea of a changing moral perspective, whether for good or bad, in films isn’t novel, particularly when it comes to portraying police brutality. However, Dominik Moll’s film offers a sense of the familiar yet refreshing as we observe the investigation unfold alongside Stéphanie’s personal development. Undeniably, she excels at her work, but one may ask, “What purpose does her job serve” if it fails to bring about change to a system that shields its own from accountability?

The movie improves significantly when it delves deeper into the investigation process. Typically, this involves character Stephanie Drucker guiding us through numerous scenarios as she scrutinizes footage and interrogates her subjects. Despite being rich in dialogue and explanations during these scenes, they prove effective. The climax leaves you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will transpire next.

Léa Drucker Gives A Flawless Performance As She Battles The Intricacies Of Justice

The captivating aspect of Dossier 137 lies in its portrayal of a unique character grappling with the intricacies of morality as they confront justice, truth, and conflict of interest. Moll doesn’t craft Stéphanie to opt for the simple solution, resulting in compelling character study scenes. It comes as no surprise that Léa Drucker was more than capable and delivered an outstanding performance. Managing the intricacies of such a complex character journey isn’t easy, but she pulls it off effortlessly, leaving us to bear witness to rampant corruption.

Moll’s crime thriller may leave you feeling perplexed, as it raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of justice: does truth ultimately triumph or is it merely a secondary concern? This ambiguity is one of the film’s greatest assets, reflecting the state of affairs in Paris 2018 and resonating strongly with ongoing issues in the USA. The film delves into the depths of corruption, questioning its extent and potential for further growth. These are questions that might be difficult to confront, but Moll’s work serves as a catalyst for important discussions about these very topics.

Dossier 137 premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

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2025-05-17 17:38