Les Diables tells the story of Chloé (Adèle Haenel) and Joseph (Vincent Rottiers), two orphaned siblings—brother and sister—who live on the margins of society. Joseph is fiercely protective of Chloé, who has a physical disability that affects her leg and requires crutches. Together, they survive by engaging in petty theft and begging in the harsh urban landscapes and coastal towns of France.
Their existence is defined by a desperate, nomadic escape. They are running away from social services, the police, and the threat of institutionalization, seeking a mythical "home" in the south that may or may not exist. To the outside world, they are delinquents, "little devils" (les diables), but to each other, they are the only safety they have.
Les Diables is a bleak, socially conscious drama that launched the career of one of France's most prominent actresses. As a piece of cinema, it is effective in its depiction of despair and the ferocity of sibling bonds. However, its legacy is forever stained by the crimes of its director. It stands now not just as a film about lost children, but as a grim artifact of the power dynamics that existed within the film industry of that era. Les Diables -2002- Vk
Les Diables The Devils ), directed by Christophe Ruggia and released in
, is a raw and haunting French drama that follows two abandoned siblings on a desperate quest for home. Known for its intense performances and unsettling realism, the film has remained a subject of discussion both for its artistic merit and the real-world controversy surrounding its production. Plot Overview The story centers on Les Diables tells the story of Chloé (Adèle
(Vincent Rottiers), a fiercely protective 12-year-old boy, and his sister
(Adèle Haenel), who is non-verbal and autistic. Abandoned by their mother at an early age, the two have spent years cycling through various children’s homes and foster care. Their existence is defined by a desperate, nomadic escape
It is impossible to discuss Les Diables today without addressing the context that has overshadowed its artistic merits.
This film served as the debut for actress Adèle Haenel, who was roughly 12 years old during filming. In recent years, Les Diables became a central exhibit in a major scandal within the French film industry. Haenel accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexual harassment and assault that began during the making of this film and continued for years afterward.
In 2024, Ruggia was given a suspended prison sentence for the sexual abuse of a minor.
Viewing the film today is a complex experience. Knowing the real-life suffering of the young lead actress changes the perception of the scenes on screen. What was once seen as a harrowing depiction of fictional abuse (the character’s suffering) is now unavoidably intertwined with the real-life alleged abuse of the actress. It adds a layer of tragedy to the production that goes beyond the script.