Athena

Hours after the sudden death of their youngest brother in unclear circumstances, three siblings watch their quiet lives explode into chaos. Abdel, Moktar and Karim find themselves pulled into a web of suspicion, fear, and loyalty as neighbors spin rumors and authorities move in. The brothers, each shaped by a harsh city that remembers them by their deeds and their names, struggle to protect their family while a citywide mood of anger swells. A tense night unfolds across balconies, streets, and stairwells as competing forces press in from every side. The film keeps the focus tight on the trio, their choices, and the stakes they face.

Released in 2022, Athena is directed by Romain Gavras with Ladj Ly and Elias Belkeddar, from an original screenplay. The project marks a bold collaboration among notable French filmmakers.

Critics recognized the film for its relentless energy and blunt social commentary. It centers on family loyalty amid grief and anger, while scrutinizing police presence and the fracture lines in French suburbs. The tense, claustrophobic storytelling heightens moral ambiguity and human cost.

The film sparked conversations about policing and social tensions in urban France, with its standout rooftop confrontations and rapid-fire chase sequences becoming talking points in reviews and discussions about modern French cinema. Some viewers highlighted its unvarnished portrayal of systemic strain.

Box office data for Athena is not widely reported, as the film primarily released via streaming; any theatrical showings were modest and did not register large grosses.