Masquerade

Adrien Saillard was a rising dancer whose bright future was shattered by a motorcycle crash, leaving him with a limp pride and a taste for vanished glory. He drifts through nights of glitter and nostalgia, avoiding any real plan for his life. Then he meets Margot, a captivating woman who uses charm, deception, and swift scams to keep herself afloat and to draw others into her orbit. Their connection unlocks a reckless pairing in which affection blurs with manipulation, money becomes a tool, and risk becomes part of the game. The film follows their tangled moves among stylish settings as desire tests loyalty and judgment. Her manipulation pulls him toward a dangerous balance of risk and desire.

Directed by Nicolas Bedos, Masquerade premiered in 2022 as a stylish mix of comedy, crime and romance. It uses an original screenplay by Bedos and stars Pierre Niney as Adrien Saillard and Isabelle Adjani as Martha Duval, with a polished look.

The reception tends to be mixed, with a 6.77 average from 455 votes signaling divided opinions. Some applaud the glossy production and performances, while others balk at genre cues. The film leans on glamorous settings and a cat and mouse mood to explore how attraction, deception and power tests trust.

There are no major nominations or wins listed for Masquerade. This film did not feature prominently on award rosters, and it received little press in award circuits. Its lack of high profile nominations makes it a quieter entry in the 2022 French release scene.

Masquerade has not sparked lasting memes or iconic lines, and its influence within pop culture remains limited. Its sleek visuals and witty banter provide a breezy Parisian mood that fans of Nicolas Bedos may enjoy, but it is unlikely to redefine how audiences think about romance and crime on screen.