Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
D'Artagnan, a spirited young Gascon, is left for dead after trying to save a noblewoman from being kidnapped. Once in Paris, he tries by all means to find his attackers, unaware that his quest will lead him to the very heart of a war where the future of France is at stake. Aided by King's Musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis, he faces the machinations of villainous Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter, while falling in love with Constance, the Queen's confidante.
This 2023 French adaptation of Dumas' classic is visually striking, with gritty, mud-soaked production design and kinetic action choreography that sets it apart from prior glossier takes. The cinematography is genuinely exceptional — earthy, textured, and immersive in a way few swashbucklers attempt. The plot follows the source material faithfully but the first-of-two-parts structure leaves the narrative feeling incomplete, with an ending that lands as a cliffhanger rather than a satisfying standalone conclusion. Acting is solid across the board — François Civil brings charm to D'Artagnan and Eva Green is a compelling Milady — but few performances transcend the material. Novelty is moderate: the gritty realist register is a meaningful departure from prior adaptations, though the bones of the story remain thoroughly familiar.