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The Emperor of Paris

The Emperor of Paris

Drama · Crime · Thriller · 2018

Paris, France, early 19th century. The legendary convict François Vidocq lives in disguise trying to escape from a tragic past that torments him. When, after an unfortunate event, he crosses paths with the police chief, he makes a bold decision that will turn the ruthless mastermind of the Parisian underworld against him.

Movie details

The Emperor of Paris

“Fugitive. Detective. Legend.”

2018 Drama · Crime · Thriller 2h 1m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.3 / 10

Community rating

Paris, France, early 19th century. The legendary convict François Vidocq lives in disguise trying to escape from a tragic past that torments him. When, after an unfortunate event, he crosses paths with the police chief, he makes a bold decision that will turn the ruthless mastermind of the Parisian underworld against him.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Emperor of Paris?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Second Wind

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Gu, a famous gangster, has just escaped from jail. All french police is after him. Before leaving the country with Manouche, the woman he loves, Gu needs a final job to get some money. The job works, but a police's scheming makes Gu appear as a traitor to his own accomplices. Gu will do whatever it takes to clean his honor...

Le Cercle Rouge

Le Cercle Rouge

Crime · 1970

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Pasha

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Mesrine: Killer Instinct

Mesrine: Killer Instinct

Drama · 2008

Jacques Mesrine, a loyal son and dedicated soldier, is back home and living with his parents after serving in the Algerian War. Soon he is seduced by the neon glamour of sixties Paris and the easy money it presents. Mentored by Guido, Mesrine turns his back on middle class law-abiding and soon moves swiftly up the criminal ladder.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Jean-François Richet

Written by

Éric Besnard

Vincent Cassel

Vincent Cassel

Vidocq

Patrick Chesnais

Patrick Chesnais

Henry

August Diehl

August Diehl

Nathanaël

Olga Kurylenko

Olga Kurylenko

The Baroness

Denis Lavant

Denis Lavant

Maillard

Freya Mavor

Freya Mavor

Annette

Denis Ménochet

Denis Ménochet

Dubillard

Court is in session

Put The Emperor of Paris on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Arthouse Gremlin

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.