The Crimson Rivers

The Crimson Rivers is an atmospheric crime thriller about two police detectives, the young, hot-tempered Max Kerkerian and the older, somewhat disillusioned star investigator Pierre Niémans, who are forced to work together on a mysterious and repulsive case.

Pierre Niémans is called to the small, isolated mountain town of Guernan because a macabre murder has been committed. Niémans directs his suspicion at the town's elite university, where the murdered man worked.

At the same time, many kilometres away, Max Kerkerian is trying to find out who could have an interest in erasing the identity of a little girl who died long ago. At first sight there is nothing to suggest that the two crimes should be connected. During their investigations, however, the two policemen meet as they follow the same trail. Perhaps there is a connection after all.

One senses that the plot is heading towards a somewhat convoluted solution to the whole mystery. That would be bearable, though, if only the explanation were within the bounds of comprehension, but after the overdramatic ending one is still not much the wiser. Most of the time, however, one is drawn in by the ominous, eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere.