Final Rating: 2/5
A young activist’s apparent lack of commitment to the cause is explored in the movie La mort n’existe pas (Death Does Not Exist).
Animator Félix Dufour-Laperrière is never really clear on the cause that drives a group of murderous activists – or exactly why Hélène (Zeneb Blanchet) seems less committed, but her lack of commitment is at the centre of the film.
In La mort, a group of young activists attack a mansion, killing several, including a rich older man. But in the heat of the moment, Hélène jumps ship, leaving her comrades to die. Before she can get far, Hélène is rejoined by the spirit of Manon, one of her activist friends, who takes her on a journey to explore the impact she has on the world, and give her a chance at redemption after her betrayal of their cause.
While the film is consistently politically-charged, it’s never clear – nor really implied – what the activists are fighting for. There are broad ecological themes throughout, but nothing concrete enough to meaningfully label the characters as eco-terrorists. The characters’ assault targets a rich couple. Are they fuel magnates? Weapons manufacturer CEOs? Just rich?
Quebec filmmaker Dufour-Laperrière muses on whether the girl committing acts of terror would be happier doing something else. How do Hélène’s politics align with her ultimate desire of having a family and growing old with her boyfriend? Would a simple life be enough, or would she always regret not having done more?
By the end of her journey, Hélène is given a final opportunity to “make a choice.” Will she finish what she started, or move on and leave her friends behind?
Hélène’s indecision allows Dufour-Laperrière to explore the intersection between the personal and the political – the places where the promise of a comfortable life is at odds with the hope for a better world.
But Dufour-Laperrière refuses to investigate those principles beyond the abstract. The possible motivations for violent action are infinitely varied, and without knowing more about the group’s goals, it’s hard to be invested in Hélène’s decision. Ultimately, the political inertness of La mort n’existe pas flattens the message to the point of irrelevance.
La mort n’existe pas was seen during the 2025 Fantasia Film Festival.
