Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
In a ghetto where religion and drug trafficking rub shoulders, Dounia has a lust for power and success. Supported by Maimouna, her best friend, she decides to follow in the footsteps of Rebecca, a respected dealer. But her encounter with Djigui, a young, disturbingly sensual dancer, throws her off course.
Divines is a raw, visceral French drama powered by an extraordinary lead performance from Oulaya Amamra, whose ferocious energy anchors the film. The cinematography captures the margins of Paris with a restless, intimate handheld style that feels both urgent and lyrical. The plot follows a recognizable trajectory of ambition and downfall in a crime milieu, hitting familiar beats, but the emotional authenticity and the charged relationship between the two friends elevate it. The ending is genuinely shocking and devastating, landing with real force. While the film is accomplished, its narrative framework is not entirely novel, keeping Novelty from reaching the highest tier.