Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.La HaineA movie brief.
1995 / social thriller / Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz
So far, so good…
What is La Haine about?
The film chronicles a day and night in the lives of three friends from a poor immigrant neighbourhood in the suburbs of Paris. They navigate their directionless daily routine and police surveillance.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film opens with a montage of news footage depicting urban riots in a banlieue near Paris, sparked by a local man's injury in police custody.
World
The movie explores the lives of young men from immigrant families, showcasing their struggles and interactions with police in the suburbs of Paris.
Pressure
The characters face intense pressure from their circumstances, including police brutality, lack of opportunities, and social unrest.
Craft
Mathieu Kassovitz wrote, co-edited, and directed the film, incorporating real events and experiences to create a gritty, realistic narrative.
Viewing Note
Viewers should be prepared for a hard-hitting, uncompromising look at social and economic divisions, with a focus on the struggles of immigrant communities.
A thought to take with you.
The three friends spend a day trying to fill time after unrest in their neighborhood, but a lost gun makes their choices more consequential. The ticking day structure keeps attention on how humiliation, anger, and police pressure can narrow the options each man thinks he has.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a stark French-language portrait of three friends and the tensions surrounding them. It includes strong language and violence.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 3, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach