Netflix Teams with Jacques Audiard for French-Language Horror Adaptation

Netflix has optioned the novel *La Nuit ravagée* and appointed French director Jacques Audiard to helm the project, marking the streamer’s first collaboration with the Oscar-winning filmmaker on a horror film. The adaptation will be produced as a French-language Netflix original. Netflix declined to comment on the partnership.

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*La Nuit ravagée*, published by Gallimard last year, is set in the fictional suburb of Saint-Auch on the outskirts of Toulouse in the early 1990s. The narrative follows a group of teenagers who are drawn to an abandoned house that exerts a strange, supernatural influence. After a friend dies under disturbing circumstances, the teens enter the house, which then feeds on their private fears, desires and traumas, turning psychological vulnerabilities into a monstrous threat. Critics have described the novel as a loving homage to 1980s-90s horror, particularly the work of Stephen King, while also noting its blend of fantasy, horror, and social realism that tackles racism, homophobia and domestic violence.

‘La Nuit ravagée’ – Jacques Audiard Directing Adaptation of Acclaimed Horror Novel for Netflix Variety Magazine

Audiard, known for socially grounded dramas such as *A Prophet*, *Dheepan* and the recent musical crime drama *Emilia Pérez*, has never directed a horror film. His reputation for portraying outsiders navigating brutal environments aligns with the novel’s focus on adolescent anxiety and marginalized experiences. Industry observers suggest that Audiard’s involvement could elevate the material beyond conventional genre conventions, emphasizing the novel’s social-realist elements.

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The horror genre is experiencing strong commercial momentum, with recent breakout titles *Backrooms* and *Obsession* grossing $387 million and $443 million worldwide, respectively. Given Netflix’s streaming-first model, the film is expected to bypass a traditional theatrical release in France, where windowing rules would otherwise limit the streamer’s access to cinemas for up to 15 months. Audiard joins a growing list of high-profile international auteurs—including Guillermo del Toro, Lee Chang-dong and Fernando Meirelles—who have partnered with Netflix on original films.

Variety Magazine

Netflix issued no comment on the project. Audiard’s representatives indicated enthusiasm for the challenge of adapting the novel’s blend of horror and social commentary, while the author Jean-Baptiste Del Amo expressed confidence that the director’s sensibility will honor the book’s thematic depth.

Variety Magazine