L'ennemi intime (Intimate Enemies) presents a stark portrayal of French conscripts during the Algerian War. This conflict, lasting from 1954 to 1962, was largely unacknowledged by France for more than thirty years. The film begins in 1959 and centers on the dynamic between Lieutenant Terrien (Benoît Magimel) and Sergent Dougnac (Albert Dupontel); Terrien is a newcomer, full of hope, while Dougnac is a seasoned veteran marked by experience. As French soldiers clash with Algerian rebels, the film subjects its characters to intense psychological strain. The brutality of war is evident, with both sides shown in disturbing detail. Throughout the story, Terrien visibly deteriorates as he witnesses events unfold, gradually losing his initial optimism. Difficult moral questions are woven into the narrative, but it’s a letdown that the underlying political forces fueling the conflict aren't explored further. From an action perspective, director and co-writer Florent-Emilio Siri delivers impactful moments, with two sequences—a scene of retreating soldiers and a final aerial assault—standing out for their execution. Siri also understands how to create emotionally resonant scenes that are genuinely affecting. The cinematography by Giovanni Fiore Coltellacci is noteworthy as well; subdued colors combine with striking visual compositions to achieve the sense of realism the story requires. Beyond the absence of deeper political context, another shortcoming lies in the film’s reliance on familiar war movie tropes and its overall conventionality. Nevertheless, this remains strong filmmaking that brings the narrative to life in a compelling way, consistently holding the viewer's attention and leaving a lasting impression. 8/10

Source on TMDB