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The Shrinking Man
An existential sci-fi drama steeped in suffocating dread, where a shrinking man’s frantic fight for survival turns his mundane basement into a terrifying, infinite abyss of cosmic insignificance.
The Shrinking Man
The Shrinking Man

L'Homme qui rétrécit

22 October 2025 France 99 min 6.0 (161)

Director: Jan Kounen

Cast: Jean Dujardin, Marie-Josée Croze, Daphné Richard, Serge Swysen, Salim Talbi

Adventure Science Fiction Existential Scale and Cosmic Relativity Deconstruction of Masculinity and Social Role Domestic Horror and Primal Survival Isolation and Incommunicability
Budget: $24,350,000

The Shrinking Man — Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Il y a des lois dans l'univers qu'on ne comprend pas encore.
— Opening title epigraph (quoting author Richard Matheson)

Context

Displayed as the opening epigraph of the film.

Meaning

Establishes the sci-fi premise and primes the audience to view Paul's affliction not as a medical glitch, but as a cosmic mystery beyond human intellect.

On décide de très peu de choses. Au fond, notre vie se passe très bien de nous.
— Paul

Context

Delivered in a philosophical voiceover as Paul experiences his physical shrinkage.

Meaning

Reflects Paul's realization of how little control human beings actually exercise over their own lives.

La seule solution pour ne pas subir, c'est agir.
— Paul

Context

Spoken in the cellar as Paul constructs tools from discarded household trash.

Meaning

Marks his pivot from helpless victim to active survivor.

Je suis vivant, moi !
— Paul

Context

Exclaimed in the basement when facing mortal peril.

Meaning

A defiant, primal shout reaffirming his will to exist regardless of physical stature.

Regarder le ciel nous donne le vertige, extrêmement petits, une goutte d'eau dans l'océan...
— Paul

Context

Framed during the opening voiceover monologue while Paul swims in open waters.

Meaning

Lays down the visual and thematic foundation of human fragility.

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