This is certainly a bit bloated and I agree that it lacks some nuance and much-needed tonal changes, but it's hard to deny the visceral impact that this film has. When something is so determined, direct, and unyielding, it forces you to give your utmost attention to the story being shown on screen. And while the dialogue might not be the hero of the moment, it does escape some of the predictable cheese that you come to expect from war-related…

A hidden French gem, Divines is an intense take on the gritty crime drama. It flips the genre on its head by reversing the genders. The protagonists are girls as well as the idol/villain. The main love interest is a man, seen through a female gaze: a ballet dancer often shown in objectified positions. All of this adds a much needed freshness and uniqueness, especially when set in the suburbs with mainly people of colour. 

Other genre staples found in this film…