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Subway
1985 104 min France R 18+
★6.7
Action, Thriller
Director: Luc Besson
Trailers
Description
Fred, a raffish safe blower, takes refuge in the Paris Metro after being chased by the henchmen of a shady businessman from whom he has just stolen some documents. While hiding out in the back rooms and conduits of the Metro, Fred encounters a subterranean society of eccentric characters and petty criminals.
Budget:
$2M
US Gross:
$390,659
Starring
Christopher Lambert
Actor
Isabelle Adjani
Actor
Richard Bohringer
Actor
Awards
César Awards 1986
— Best Actor
César Awards 1986
— Best Sound
César Awards 1986
— Best Production Design
César Awards 1986
— Best Original Score
César Awards 1986
— Best Poster
César Awards 1986
— Best Actor
César Awards 1986
— Best Sound
César Awards 1986
— Best Production Design
César Awards 1986
— Best Picture
BAFTA 1986
— Best International Feature Film
César Awards 1986
— Best Actress
César Awards 1986
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
Subway is widely regarded as a visually striking and atmospheric cult classic that captures a unique, rebellious energy. While audiences are frequently charmed by its stylistic flair and iconic performances, critics remain divided on the substance of its narrative, which some find fragmented or underdeveloped.
| Acting | The film features a memorable ensemble cast, with standout performances from Christopher Lambert and Jean Reno defining its quirky character-driven appeal. | |
| Production | The cinematography and production design successfully create an immersive, stylized version of the Paris underground that serves as the film's emotional anchor. | |
| Score | The soundtrack, particularly the contributions of Eric Serra, is highly effective at establishing the film’s unique melancholic and rhythmic tone. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative is viewed by some as an evocative, free-spirited manifesto of 80s youth, while others criticize it as chaotic, hollow, and lacking clear character motivations. | |
| Pacing | The film’s pacing is a subject of debate, with some viewers finding it flawlessly immersive and others feeling the fragmented plot results in an exhausting or aimless experience. |