The Gardener

Every year a shadowy list tied to the Reason of State designates people to be removed, and the threat they pose becomes real for anyone on it. In The Gardener, Serge Shuster, a trusted adviser to the President, lands on that list and his family suddenly finds itself in grave danger. Their only hope lies with Léo, a gruff gardener who would rather battle weeds than enemies, and who is played by Jean-Claude Van Damme. Serge is depicted by Michaël Youn, with Mia, his wife, portrayed by Nawell Madani, joining the fight against a covert plot that reaches far beyond the garden walls. The film pairs fast paced action with dry humor to explore loyalty under pressure against the odds.

Directed by David Charhon and released in 2025, The Gardener comes from creators Vincent de Brus and Sebastien Fechner, pairing brisk action with political comedy. The production leans on sharp dialogue and compact set pieces that keep pace throughout consistently.

Box office data for The Gardener has not been publicly published, so no reliable worldwide grosses are available. Some markets may show modest performance, but a formal worldwide total has not been reported by studios or distributors yet at all.

There are no widely reported nominations or wins for The Gardener in major awards circles at this time. Industry press has framed it as a crowd pleasing blend of action and humor with a surprising political edge, led by Van Damme's distinctive screen presence. It may yet attract genre fans.

Reception leans toward a mixed response that appreciates the fast paced sequences and mischievous humor. The film tackles loyalty, family protection, and how ordinary people respond when political games threaten loved ones. Audience score sits at about 6.1 out of 10 from 173 votes, and viewers note a stubborn resilience.