Félix Brassard’s film L’écrivain (The Writer) follows Pierre (Josian Neveu), a TV writer with an unusual, secretive nightly routine. Each evening, he locks himself in a room—and no one knows why. Not even his boss Gilbert (Marco Giguère), who’s recently started dropping by more often to figure out why Pierre is frequently slow to deliver.
I won’t spoil the outcome—mainly because the film is so simple that even a small reveal might give too much away. The poster even says too much. When the dynamic is clear, it’s easy to know how this tale will end. Here, Pierre is our reclusive protagonist, and Gilbert is the pushy antagonist. Watching Neveu and Giguère interact feels like fire meeting water. The twist isn’t exactly shocking, but that’s not the point. This short feels like a proof of concept—a sketch hinting at something bigger. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brassard is laying the groundwork for a feature. It reads as a personal take on genre cinema.
That makes sense if you’re familiar with Brassard’s 2019 documentary L’inquiétante Absence, which explores Quebec’s underappreciated genre film scene. Though I haven’t seen it yet, it reportedly delves into the cultural and institutional barriers that keep horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films from truly thriving in the province—despite a passionate fan base and abundant talent. Featuring big names like David Cronenberg, Robin Aubert, and Fantasia Festival organizers, Brassard clearly knows this terrain.
I’ve seen a few works from this world, and Turbo Kid definitely stands out as a uniquely wild ride. The first film that introduced me to this scene, though, was Ginger Snaps. While I don’t seek out Quebecois films specifically, I’ve also enjoyed local screenings of Mars & Avril and Humanist Vampire Seeks Consenting Suicidal Person (movie review). I’m sure Brassard’s documentary dives into many of these—but that’s a list for another post.
Back to L’écrivain: it’s short, and quietly unsettling. Neveu gives Pierre a weary intensity, while Giguère plays the perfect obnoxious foil. The setting—a sparse alpine cabin—adds just the right level of isolation and hints at the nature of Pierre’s “condition.” It’s got that familiar “cabin in the woods” vibe, but stripped down and more emotionally grounded.
Ultimately, this story is about protecting one’s privacy—and the consequences when that privacy is shattered. And when that happens, you’d better hope you’re not the one knocking on his door.
4 Stars out of 5
“L’écrivain” (The Writer) Trailer
(Not available)