The Translators
The Translators (French: Les Traducteurs) is a 2019 mystery thriller film directed by Régis Roinsard.[1] The story centers on nine elite translators from around the world who are assembled and isolated in a high-tech bunker to simultaneously translate the highly anticipated final volume of a bestselling literary trilogy, but the operation descends into chaos when the opening pages are mysteriously leaked online, turning the group into suspects in a high-stakes whodunit.[2] Written by Roinsard alongside Romain Compingt and Daniel Presley, the film draws inspiration from the real-world pressures of simultaneous translation projects for major publishing events. Featuring an international ensemble cast including Lambert Wilson as the enigmatic publisher, alongside Sara Giraudeau, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Eduardo Noriega, Riccardo Scamarcio, Olga Kurylenko, and Alex Lawther, The Translators blends elements of Agatha Christie-style intrigue with modern corporate suspense.[1] Running 105 minutes, the French-Belgian co-production was theatrically released in France on January 29, 2020, following festival screenings in late 2019, and received a limited international release, including in English-speaking markets in 2020.[2] Critics praised its clever screenplay and twisty narrative, though some noted inconsistencies in pacing and character development.[3] Upon release, the film earned a 71% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 17 reviews, with praise for its inventive premise and ensemble performances, while audience scores hovered around 53% as of 2025 (based on fewer than 50 ratings), reflecting divided opinions on its resolution.[2] With a budget of $10.6 million, it grossed approximately €2 million at the French box office (279,035 admissions), marking a modest success for an independent thriller.[4] Roinsard's follow-up to his 2012 debut Populaire, The Translators highlights themes of linguistic isolation, intellectual rivalry, and the commodification of literature in the digital age.[5]Plot and characters
Plot
Nine international translators, each experts in their respective languages, are recruited by the ambitious publisher Éric Angstrom to a high-tech, secure bunker beneath a luxurious French chateau. Their task is to simultaneously translate the final volume of the globally bestselling Dedalus trilogy, authored under the pseudonym Oscar Brach, under strict non-disclosure agreements, constant surveillance, and isolation from the outside world to prevent leaks ahead of the synchronized worldwide release.[1] The translators hail from diverse backgrounds— including a Russian, a Chinese, a Greek, and others—whose cultural perspectives occasionally spark tensions during the intense, deadline-driven process in the bunker equipped with advanced security measures like biometric locks and monitored communications.[2] The dream assignment quickly turns nightmarish when the first 10 pages of the unpublished manuscript mysteriously leak online, prompting a blackmailer to demand €5 million to withhold the rest. As the translators continue their work under heightened scrutiny, suspicions arise among the group, with Angstrom installing additional cameras and interrogating them individually about possible breaches. The demands escalate to €50 million, fueling paranoia and accusations, exacerbated by the translators' varied reactions influenced by their personal histories, such as a German translator's rigid adherence to protocol clashing with a more free-spirited Italian counterpart.[6] Tensions peak when one translator appears to commit suicide in the bunker, seemingly driven by the pressure, prompting a frantic investigation that uncovers encrypted files and hidden motives among the group. Through flashbacks, it is revealed that the English translator, Alex Goodman, is actually Oscar Brach himself, using a false identity to infiltrate the project. Brach seeks revenge against Angstrom, who murdered Brach's close friend—a former collaborator exploited in the trilogy's creation—and has been profiting immensely from the series' success without fair compensation.[7] In the climactic confrontation, Brach exposes Angstrom's corporate greed and the publisher's criminal past during a live broadcast from the bunker, turning the tables on the surveillance system and ensuring the full manuscript's integrity while bringing justice for his friend. The Dedalus trilogy, reminiscent of Dan Brown-style thrillers in its intricate puzzles and global intrigue, concludes with the translators' work enabling the book's release, though forever marked by the ordeal.[2]Cast
The film features an international ensemble cast portraying a diverse group of translators from various nationalities, each bringing unique linguistic expertise to the high-stakes project orchestrated by the publisher. This multinational lineup underscores the global nature of the story, with actors from France, Ukraine, Italy, Denmark, Spain, the UK, Greece, and China representing characters fluent in their respective languages.[6] Lambert Wilson stars as Éric Angstrom, the ambitious and ruthless publisher who assembles the team in a secure facility to accelerate the translation process.[8][9] The nine translators include:| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Lawther | Alex Goodman | The buttoned-up English translator, known for his precise and reserved demeanor.[6][10] |
| Olga Kurylenko | Katerina Anisinova | The resilient Russian translator, embodying a femme fatale archetype with a strong, enigmatic presence.[6][10] |
| Riccardo Scamarcio | Dario Farelli | The flirtatious Italian translator, characterized by his charismatic and playful personality.[6][10] |
| Sidse Babett Knudsen | Helene Tuxen | The composed Danish translator, depicted as a Nordic ice queen with a cool, professional expertise.[6][10] |
| Eduardo Noriega | Javier Ramos | The suave Spanish translator, noted for his smooth and sophisticated traits.[6][10] |
| Manolis Mavrommatakis | Konstantinos 'Kostas' Kedrinos | The passionate Greek translator, portrayed as a fiery and outspoken individual.[6][10] |
| Frédéric Chau | Wu | The tech-savvy Chinese translator, highlighted for his innovative and gadget-oriented approach.[6][10] |
| Maxence Tual | Brice | The methodical German translator, contributing analytical precision to the group.[8][10] |
| Maria Leite | Telma Alves | The rebellious Portuguese translator, adding a punky and agitator dynamic to the group.[10] |