Les Gendarmes (2026)

Les Gendarmes Review: A French Comedy Ensemble With Promise

Les Gendarmes arrives in 2026 as a French comedy directed by François Prévôt-Leygonie, reuniting a roster of familiar faces from Gallic cinema and television. With a screenplay credited to four writers — Prévôt-Leygonie, Stéphan Archinard, Olivier Sulpice, and Jenfèvre — the film leans heavily on its ensemble cast to carry a premise that, on paper, feels like well-trodden territory: small-town law enforcement meets generational clash and local eccentricity.

Direction and Tone

Prévôt-Leygonie, whose prior work includes Les Vieux Fourneaux and its sequel, understands the rhythm of French character comedy. He frames the rural setting with affection rather than condescension, letting the landscape breathe between gags. The pacing, however, is uneven; the first act establishes its characters with leisurely charm, while the third act rushes toward a resolution that feels more mandated than earned. There's a tension between the film's desire to be a warm ensemble piece and its reliance on broader slapstick beats that undercut the more nuanced character moments.

Performances

The casting is the film's strongest asset. Arnaud Ducret as Henri Gorgeot/Dugorgeon anchors the proceedings with a hangdog authority that never tips into caricature. Alice David brings sharp timing as Carla Spaletti, and her chemistry with Julien Arruti's Lucien/Lulu provides the film's most consistent laughs. Fred Testot and Marc Riso mine reliable comedy from the veteran/rookie dynamic, though their subplot feels underwritten. The younger cast — Thomas Gioria and Margot Heckmann — hold their own, avoiding the precociousness that often plagues younger roles in French comedies. Henri Guybet, a veteran presence, adds gravitas in his limited screen time.

Who Will Enjoy It

Viewers fond of French ensemble comedies like Les Tuche or Camping will find familiar pleasures here: regional specificity, class friction played for warmth rather than bite, and a belief in community as both chaos and salvation. Those seeking sharper satire or structural innovation may leave wanting. The film's ultimate appeal rests on tolerance for formula executed with professionalism and genuine affection for its characters.