Barracuda (1997)

Mr. Clément lives alone in an apartment whose walls are covered with photos of Fred Astaire, his passion. Luc and Margot move into the same landing. Margot, who is pregnant, goes away for a few days. Luc meets Clément, who invites him to dinner. The old man introduces him to his wife, a life-size doll. Luc wants to cut the evening short, but Clément knocks him unconscious and holds him captive. Several escape attempts fail, leading to severe “punishments.” When Margot returns, she is puzzled by Luc’s absence. Clément tells her that her partner has abandoned her, while making Luc believe that he has killed the young woman. Desperate and chained up in a windowless room, Luc gives himself over to the role of little boy that his captor makes him play. His only opening onto the outside world is the few moments of television he is allowed. Nine months later, a call from Margot on a program like “Missing Persons” reveals to him that she is alive and has a baby. Luc comes out of his stupor and succeeds in eliminating Clément.