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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Ad Vitam is a 2025 French action thriller on Netflix. Directed by Rodolphe Lauga, it stars Guillaume Canet as Franck Lazarev, a former GIGN agent whose pregnant wife, Léo, is kidnapped after an attempted murder at their home. His search uncovers links to his elite-service past, the death of a colleague and a much wider state affair.
What is Ad Vitam about?
Franck Lazarev once served with France’s GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group). After leaving the unit, he is attacked at home by masked men. Franck survives, but Léo—his pregnant wife—is taken. The assault forces him back into the world he left behind.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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AD VITAM (dvd) | $34.65 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Immortal (Ad Vitam) | $29.86 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Immortal (Ad Vitam) (2 DVD) [Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513f8R3OlTL._SL160_.jpg)
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Immortal (Ad Vitam) (2 DVD) [Import] | $16.13 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Immortal Ad Vitam | $61.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Immortal - Ad Vitam [FRENCH]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514UH1oEoaL._SL160_.jpg)
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Immortal - Ad Vitam [FRENCH] | $8.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Franck and Léo first met as GIGN trainees. As he follows the trail, Franck’s investigation reaches back to the death of his close colleague Nico and exposes a political conspiracy far beyond a private kidnapping. The story is set in Paris and combines rescue urgency with a mystery rooted in Franck’s professional past.
Cast and characters
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Guillaume Canet | Franck Lazarev | Former GIGN agent searching for Léo |
| Stéphane Caillard | Léo | Franck’s pregnant wife |
| Nassim Lyes | Ben | Franck’s friend and fellow GIGN member |
| Zita Hanrot | Manon | Supporting character connected to Franck’s investigation |
| Alexis Manenti | Nico | Franck’s close friend and fellow GIGN member |
| Johan Heldenbergh | Vanaken | A mercenary |
Rodolphe Lauga directed the film.
Is Ad Vitam on Netflix?
Yes. Netflix lists Ad Vitam as a 2025 movie and the confirmed streaming platform. The title page offers the French original audio, multiple dubbed and subtitled language options, and offline downloads for supported devices. Availability of specific languages and download features can vary by territory and account.
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Release date, language and runtime
- Netflix release: January 10, 2025, according to AlloCiné.
- Origin: France.
- Primary language: French.
- Runtime: approximately 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Genre labels: thriller, mystery, crime and drama on Netflix, with the film commonly described as an action thriller.
Where is the film set?
The story takes place in Paris. The city provides the setting for Franck’s pursuit of the people who abducted Léo, while the central conflict expands from a personal rescue mission into a state-level affair.
What kind of action film is it?
Ad Vitam is built around a professionally trained protagonist rather than a conventional detective. Franck’s GIGN background explains his tactical abilities and places hand-to-hand combat, firearms confrontations and large-scale stunt work alongside the mystery plot.
Rank #2
- Professional background: Franck is a former French elite-intervention operator.
- Immediate objective: Find Léo after her kidnapping.
- Conspiracy scale: The case develops into a state affair.
- Emotional stake: Franck is trying to save his pregnant wife.
- Story engine: The investigation is tied to his past and Nico’s death.
Reception and critical response
Reception has been mixed. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists a 38% Tomatometer score from 13 reviews, a figure shown on the site’s page accessed September 30, 2026; both the score and review count can change as the aggregate is updated.
The cited reviews generally recognize the cast, production design and substantial action, while some criticize an overstuffed or uneven plot. That split makes the film a better fit for viewers who prioritize French action set pieces and a fast-moving conspiracy over a tightly streamlined screenplay.
Is Ad Vitam worth watching?
It is worth trying if you want a compact French Netflix thriller with a GIGN-trained lead, a hostage-rescue premise, family stakes and sustained stunt-driven action. Approach it more cautiously if your priority is a consistently simple conspiracy narrative: the critical response indicates that the story’s ambition can make it feel crowded or uneven.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will there be an Ad Vitam sequel?
Yes. Netflix announced on August 10, 2026 that production had begun on Ad Vitam Eternam. Guillaume Canet returns as Franck Lazareff. Ludovic Colbeau-Justin directs, and the screenplay is credited to Guillaume Canet and Maxime Chattam, with collaboration from David Corona.
Rank #4
The announced setup starts after Franck survives an assassination attempt following his release from prison and tries to discover who wants him dead. Netflix had not announced a release date in that production notice, so the sequel’s premiere timing remains unconfirmed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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