The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

Set in the opening years of the 20th century, Adèle Blanc-Sec is a celebrated young novelist whose days are filled with bold schemes and perilous distractions. When a string of strange events pulls her into a web of mystery, she must outwit pushy suitors, stubborn police, and a rising tide of uncanny foes. With quick thinking, improvised gadgets, and stubborn nerve, she follows clues through crowded boulevards, hidden laboratories, and dusty archives. The story fuses fantasy, science, and pulp heroism as Adèle bends rules, allies with quirky companions, and faces threats that blur the line between invention and superstition in a world of Parisian spectacle. The mood is brisk and cheeky, never letting serious danger eclipse her wit. The tone balances humor and danger as it visits quirky corners of a metropolis and its laboratories.

Directed by Luc Besson, the film adapts Jacques Tardi's graphic novels. It stars Louise Bourgoin as Adèle, with Mathieu Amalric and Gilles Lellouche in supporting roles. It premiered in 2010 as a visually bold fantasy adventure that stitches period atmosphere to fast paced action. Bourgoin's spirited turn anchors the film with a mix of charm and no-nonsense grit.

Worldwide, the movie grossed $34,604,339 against a budget of $25,000,000, yielding a modest but respectable return and signaling strong international interest in Besson's studio led fantasy. It performed best in France and parts of Europe and Asia, with spirited showings in several markets and a durable cult following in subsequent home media releases.

Reception was mixed, with viewers appreciating the film's glossy production design and brisk energy, while some critics found the plot crowded. IMDb lists an average 6.24 out of 10 from about 1,448 votes. The movie sits at a playful crossroads between period whimsy and action packed spectacle, hinting at Besson's love for stylized adventure.