The Cousin Poster

The Cousin 1997

★ 6.263 votes112 min📅 1997-12-10

Alain Corneau's *The Cousin* (1997) dives into the shadowy underbelly of crime and corruption with a gripping tale of betrayal and justice.

Director: Alain Corneau

Cast

Patrick Timsit
Patrick Timsit
Nounours
Alain Chabat
Alain Chabat
Gérard Delvaux
Samuel Le Bihan
Samuel Le Bihan
Francis
Caroline Proust
Caroline Proust
Fanny
Mehdi El Glaoui
Mehdi El Glaoui
Jeannot
Christophe Peyroux
Christophe Peyroux
Michel
Marie Trintignant
Marie Trintignant
Judge Lambert
Agnès Jaoui
Agnès Jaoui
Claudine Delvaux
Béatrice Michel
Béatrice Michel
Woman of the couple at the Ebony Club

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *The Cousin* (1997) about?

*The Cousin* follows Nounours, an informant who profits from drug busts but finds himself in deeper trouble when a suicide and a determined judge expose his illegal dealings. As the pressure mounts, his past schemes threaten to collapse the very system he exploited.

Who directed *The Cousin*?

Alain Corneau directed *The Cousin*. Known for his crime thrillers and atmospheric storytelling, Corneau crafts a tense narrative around moral ambiguity and institutional decay.

Who stars in *The Cousin*?

The film stars Patrick Timsit as Nounours, alongside Alain Chabat, Samuel Le Bihan, Caroline Proust, and Mehdi El Glaoui in key roles.

Is *The Cousin* (1997) worth watching?

*The Cousin* is a solid crime thriller with strong performances and a morally complex plot. While it may not have a widely known IMDb rating, its themes of corruption and suspense make it a compelling watch for fans of the genre.

How long is *The Cousin*?

*The Cousin* runs for 112 minutes.

The Cousin (1997): A Crime Thriller About Betrayal and Justice

Alain Corneau's *The Cousin* (1997) dives into the shadowy underbelly of crime and corruption with a gripping tale of betrayal and justice. Nounours, a slick informant with a shady deal with the police, profits from the very drugs he helps seize—until a suicide and a relentless judge expose his dark secrets. As inspector Gérard Delvaux takes over Maurin's case, the web of lies tightens around Nounours, revealing his role in deadly overdoses that threaten to unravel the system he thought he controlled. With tense cat-and-mouse dynamics and morally ambiguous characters, this crime thriller blends suspense with a critique of institutional hypocrisy.

Patrick Timsit's charismatic yet morally compromised Nounours anchors the film, supported by Alain Chabat and Samuel Le Bihan as detectives caught in the crossfire. Corneau crafts a moody, high-stakes atmosphere where every alliance could be a trap. Themes of greed, loyalty, and accountability collide in a story that feels as relevant today as it did in 1997.