Outstanding film.

I think it's a curious hybrid of fact and fiction.

Much of the kidnapping details are based on the real life episode involving Édouard-Jean, 3rd Baron Empain, as is the character of Stan.

However I'm not sure of the wisdom of leaving so much of the third act open-ended, when IRL there was a clear resolution, bearing in mind that yes, clearly Lucas Belvaux went out to create his own take of the real life story.🐭

This was indeed a great film. Not so much thriller or even plot-driven entertainment but a much, much deeper exposé of human nature. Watch as slowly (or not-so-slowly) each character turns against the victim, alternately blaming him or judging him on subjective morality that's not related to the crisis at hand. The psychology is apparent (as the detective says early on) that each person is projecting their own guilt, failings and selfishness onto others. And ultimately it's the victim himself who becomes the collective target.

Notice how the dog is shown throughout the movie, loyal as ever, to contrast against all the flawed people. And in the end Stan delivers a great monologue about how the dog doesn't judge, make assumptions, blame or foster resentment. The dog is just happy to see Stan again.

But the real moneyshot is the ending implication. The message "Calypso" delivered at the depths of Stan's own alienation and resentment toward his family. I think it's pretty clear what Stan's actions will be; we don't need to see it. Human nature.