La Malédiction du lys

Body of a developer and mayoral candidate found in his Bordeaux home is staged with a ritual once used to brand runaway enslaved people two centuries ago. The discovery is made by his circle of friends, all from families tied to the slave trade. Clémence Lacoste, a police captain born and raised in Bordeaux, teams up with Antoine Rosy, a refined Parisian lieutenant who spends more time at his desk than in the streets. The investigation widens to reveal a web of money, influence, and buried grievances linking the victim to a secret network. To catch a series of similar murders, the pair must pull at the threads of Bordeauxs hidden history and confront their pasts.

Directed by Philippe Niang, the film adapts a concept developed by Céline Guyot, Martin Guyot and Zangro. Niang keeps the focus tight on character and setting while translating a tense procedural into a dark portrait of Bordeaux's elite.

Box office data for this TV movie were not publicly reported, reflecting its television release model. As such there are no theatrical grosses to cite, and audience figures have remained private or released through regional broadcasters.

Set against the citys wine lanes and old port, the tale underscores how memory shapes present tensions. The ritual element has sparked conversations about historical injustice and local identity, with viewers noting how crime embedded in history forces reflections on class, privilege and accountability.

Critical reception highlights strong performances, particularly Erika Sainte as Clémence, and commends the blend of a tight procedural with social history. Themes include the burden of lineage, accountability for past misdeeds, and how private loyalties collide with public duty when a city tries to reckon with a painful legacy. The mood is atmospheric rather than sensational.