Movie · 2025 · Adventure, Science Fiction · 1h 39m · French
Curator score: 1.3/10 (13.6K ratings)
Overview
Paul, is an ordinary man who divides his life between his shipbuilding company, his wife Elise and their daughter Mia. During a sea trip, Paul finds himself confronted with a strange, unexplained meteorological phenomenon. From then on, Paul shrinks inexorably, without science being able to explain why or be of any help to him. When, by accident, he finds himself a prisoner in his own cellar, and while he is only a few centimeters tall, he will have to fight to survive in this banal environment that has become perilous. During this experience, Paul will find himself confronted with himself, with his humanity, and will try to answer the great questions of existence.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.3/10
IMDb: 5.9/10
Letterboxd: 2.73/5
TMDB: 6.1/10
Director
Jan Kounen
Production
Pitchipoï Productions, TF1 Films Production, uMedia, La Production Dujardin, uFund, Proximus
Cast
Jean Dujardin, Marie-Josée Croze, Daphné Richard, Serge Swysen, Salim Talbi, Miranda Raison, Stéphanie Van Vyve
Curator Review
Verdict
An ambitious, often visually inventive survival drama built around a strong high-concept premise, but the reception suggests uneven execution, with some viewers put off by the voiceover and tonal choices. It looks more interesting as a philosophical, body-horror-adjacent experiment than as a crowd-pleasing sci-fi adventure.
Best for
Viewers who like existential sci-fi and high-concept premises
Fans of survival stories with a surreal or allegorical edge
People open to slower, introspective genre films
Audiences curious about French prestige sci-fi
Skip if
You want tight, propulsive action
You dislike heavy voiceover or literary narration
You prefer clear-cut explanations for sci-fi concepts
You are looking for a broadly accessible mainstream adventure
Overview
The Shrinking Man takes a familiar sci-fi hook and pushes it toward existential drama. Rather than treating the premise as a gimmick, it seems intent on turning the shrinking body into a meditation on mortality, identity, and the absurd fragility of ordinary life. That gives it a distinct angle, even if the execution does not fully land for everyone.
Worth noting
The Letterboxd response points to a split between admiration for the ambition and frustration with the narration and tone. Some viewers respond to the near-mute, philosophical approach; others find it mannered or self-serious. That tension is part of the film’s identity: it wants to be both a survival thriller and a metaphysical fable.
Bottom line
If you are drawn to concept-driven science fiction that leans reflective rather than spectacular, there is enough here to justify a look. If you want a cleaner genre ride, this is probably one to approach with tempered expectations.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Daniel Andreyev (3★) · 444 likes
L’histoire d’un petit homme enfermé. J’ai essayé très fort de ne pas penser à Nicolas Sarkozy.
Carc0 (1.5★) · 261 likes
Jean Dusous-sol
EvanAC (1.5★) · 188 likes
Eh c’est plus Jean Dujardin c’est ᴶᵉᵃⁿ ᵈᵘʲᵃʳᵈⁱⁿ 🤣😂
Lumano (1.5★) · 142 likes
Y’a personne qui vient nourrir le poisson rouge genre ?
LeJaime_ (3.5★) · 136 likes
Pas un seul drapeau français, pas une seule tartine de pâté. Jean Dujardin a-t-il peur d'être traité de Facho ? 😡😡😡