Michael Haneke’s influence runs throughout director Brice Cauvin’s feature debut. An anti-thriller which tracks the disintegration of a modern couple as the rat-race overwhelms them, it will disappoint those looking for a Tell No One style belter.

Real estate, pregnancy, terrorism and the dream of an easier life all vie for attention, as Laurent and his wife (Fillieres) begin to see a threat on every street corner. Fillieres secludes herself in their apartment with their two boys, while Laurent seeks solace in rediscovering his (half)-Jewish roots.

A slow pace and hectoring tone cannot match the assured terror that Haneke brings to his mysteries, and at ninety protracted minutes this would have played better in a shorter TV version.

A satisfying ending, in which Laurent and Fillieres embrace what troubles them, is well executed, but Cauvin and his two co-writers need to raise their game if they want to do something less anonymous than this.

Rob Daniel