Monica Bellucci and Benoît Magimel Star in Thrilling New Movie Based on Bestselling Novel!

Hafsia Herzi as Nora

A hard-working mother, Nora is striving for a promotion to support her family, which includes her daughter Ida and her husband Thomas. Reserved, enigmatic, full of mystery and ambiguity, she is ready to do anything to protect her loved ones. But as her birthday party starts, a previously unknown side of her personality begins to reveal itself, potentially dangerous…

A winner of two César Awards – for her performances in “The Secret of the Grain” and “Borgo” – and director of “The Last One,” nominated three times at the César Awards and winner of the Queer Palm at Cannes, Hafsia Herzi stands out both in front of and behind the camera. In “Night Stories,” she lends Nora her intensity and deeply enigmatic presence. The actress once again confirms her talent for portraying characters filled with complex emotions, particularly those hidden behind silences and unspoken words, as noted by Léa Mysius: “A look from Hafsia is worth a thousand words.”

Benoît Magimel as Franck

First discovered as a child in “Life Is a Long Quiet River,” Benoît Magimel has gradually established himself as a staple of the French cinematic landscape, winning the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001 for his performance in “The Piano Teacher” and the César for Best Supporting Actor in 2016 (“Standing Tall”), before clinching two consecutive César Awards for Best Actor – in 2022 for “Alive” and in 2023 for “Pacifiction: Turmoil on the Islands.” Recently, he has again stood out in Antonin Baudry’s duology “The Battle of Gaul.”

In Léa Mysius’ work, Benoît Magimel brings all his intensity to his character, Franck, a mysterious man who arrives with astonishing serenity at the Bergogne’s home. The actor then delivers a performance that deviates from the traditional villain archetype: unsettling yet surprisingly gentle, sometimes almost amusing… This apparent nonchalance, however, only heightens the unease that gradually builds. Indeed, his arrival within this seemingly united family could well shatter the household’s balance.

Bastien Bouillon as Thomas

Living with his family in an old farmhouse in Limousin, Thomas works tirelessly and gradually takes on the renovation of the farm. Attentive and deeply tender towards his wife, he organizes, with the help of their neighbor Cristina, a surprise birthday party for Nora. But when three men show up at his home, his demeanor changes: gentleness gives way to wariness, doubt, and disbelief.

Awarded the César for Most Promising Actor for his performance in “The Night of the 12th,” Bastien Bouillon lends his features to Thomas, to whom he brings gentleness and sensitivity. “Bastien, at the time, didn’t look at all like his character, but he changes his face and body so much that he can blend into any role. He is impressive,” shares the director. Equally comfortable in “Leaving One Day” as in the blockbuster “The Count of Monte Cristo,” Bastien Bouillon once again demonstrates his talent and remarkable ability to slip into radically different roles.

Monica Bellucci as Cristina

A staple of contemporary cinema, Monica Bellucci made her screen debut leading the Italian drama-comedy “La riffa” before achieving greater international recognition, notably with Alain Chabat’s “Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra.” Knighted in the Legion of Honor in 2016, the actress continues to showcase her talent under the direction of eminent filmmakers such as Tim Burton (“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”) or Marjane Satrapi (“Paris Paradise”).

In “Night Stories,” she plays Cristina, the Bergogne’s neighbor and painter. Settled in a large architect-designed house that also houses her studio, this bourgeois artist initially appears stern before revealing a softer, more open personality as the story progresses. Behind this apparent control, Cristina helps blur the lines between good and evil, reminding us that the threat isn’t always where one expects… and that everyone can carry a part of it within themselves.

Tawba El Gharchi as Ida

Daughter of Nora and Thomas, Ida is raised in a nurturing family environment, cherished by her parents. She also maintains a special relationship with her neighbor Cristina, where she goes after school, waiting for her parents to return. But when three brothers burst into her daily life, her childlike world is abruptly disrupted. Confronted with truths beyond her understanding, Ida faces a particularly troubling situation without ever losing the composure that characterizes her.

“When I first saw Tawba, I immediately knew it would be her,” confides Léa Mysius. In her debut role, Tawba El Gharchi impresses with the accuracy and naturalness of her performance. She expresses a form of insolence and anger that immediately captivated the director. Extensively coached by Léa Mysius and Laura Caselli, the child supervisor on set, the young actress reveals a fine mastery of her craft, supported by a blend of technique, sensitivity, and character.

Paul Hamy as Flo

Charismatic, mysterious, and self-assured, Flo does not hesitate to use his charms to win over those he desires. He meets Cristina when he unexpectedly shows up at her place, looking for his neighbors. With a fiery and impulsive temperament, he tries to help his brother Franck, while maintaining a relationship with his other brother, Bègue, made of a love as genuine as it is violent.

Paul Hamy quickly convinced the director to embody this charismatic yet unpredictable brother. “He has an incredible power and danger. He plays, tries, overflows, refocuses… I was immediately charmed,” she explains. Nominated for the César for Most Promising Actor in 2014 for his performance in “Suzanne,” the actor has since established himself in diverse worlds such as those of “My King” (Maïwenn), “Peur de rien” (Danielle Arbid), or “Louise” (Nicolas Keitel). A range of roles that attest to his ability to portray characters as unique as they are ambiguous, which he brings to Flo in “Night Stories.”

Alane Delhaye as Bègue

Nicknamed Bègue due to his speech difficulties, the youngest brother initially appears as a simple and fragile, even childlike character, before revealing a danger that sometimes seems to overwhelm him. Consumed by anxiety and a form of gentle madness, he follows his brothers and their orders at all costs, driven by the unconditional love he has for them. Behind his sometimes unsettling reactions, his tender nature gradually unveils, making him a character as endearing as he is unpredictable.

After starting on television, Alane Delhaye gained recognition in the leading role of the mini-series “P’tit Quinquin,” where he already portrayed a character both singular and disconcerting. Four years later, he revisited Bruno Dumont’s world in “Coincoin and the Z’inhumans,” a follow-up to the mini-series. In “Night Stories,” he completes the brotherhood and brings softness and sensitivity to Bègue, while maintaining a sense of mystery around his complex character.

A thrilling narrative full of secrets, featuring a gallery of talented and unforgettable characters, “Night Stories” is a must-see in theaters starting September 16.

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