Back in Crime (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A present-day murder investigation leads Kemp back to an earlier case, where he tries to use his knowledge to prevent further killings.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The River Case

A woman's body is found in the water, and the evidence indicates homicide. The case intersects with Kemp's personal troubles and his conversations with Hélène.

Key Events

• Body Found in the Water — A woman's body is found in the water, prompting a murder investigation. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Water
• Evidence of Homicide — The victim was bound, gagged with tape, and had pierced eardrums. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• Kemp's Personal Troubles — The case weighs on Kemp alongside troubles involving his son and Hélène. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Unspecified
• Haunted by a Past Crime — Kemp has spoken with Hélène about feeling haunted by an earlier crime. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Unspecified

The Earlier Pattern

The story moves back to 1989, when Kemp is investigating a series of killings with a repeated method. His apparent knowledge of future crimes unsettles Hélène and shapes his attempt to protect Edith.

Key Events

• Return to 1989 — The story shifts back twenty years to Kemp's earlier investigation. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• A Pattern of Killings — Kemp investigates killings involving restrained, gagged, drowned victims. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• The Eardrum Cutter — The press gives the murderer the name the eardrum cutter. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• Knowledge of Future Murders — Kemp appears to know details and locations of killings before they occur. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• Kemp Seeks Hélène's Help — Kemp asks Hélène for help, but she cannot explain his apparent future knowledge. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Unspecified
• Attempt to Protect Edith — Kemp tries to protect Edith, though evidence suggests the killer may reach her. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified

The Trail to Frangousto

Kemp follows a lead involving Pierre Fabre and saves him, but another girl is abducted. With Verbeck's help, the clues lead toward the Frangousto submarine base.

Key Events

• A Lead on Pierre Fabre — Kemp follows a lead involving Pierre Fabre to reach the murderer. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• Pierre Is Saved — Kemp saves Pierre, but the killer abducts another girl and escapes. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified
• Kemp Turns to Verbeck — Kemp asks fellow inspector Verbeck for help with the case. Characters: Richard Kemp, Verbeck Location: Unspecified
• Clues Point to Frangousto — The investigation's clues lead Kemp and Verbeck toward the submarine base. Characters: Richard Kemp, Verbeck Location: Frangousto submarine base
• Warning to Verbeck — Kemp urges Verbeck not to act alone before going to confront the suspect. Characters: Richard Kemp, Verbeck Location: Unspecified

The Base and the Aftermath

The confrontation at the base turns violent, and Hélène finds Kemp wounded and calls for help. A victim identifies the captured man, while Kemp survives badly injured; the story then returns to the present.

Key Events

• Violence at the Base — The confrontation at the base turns violent, leaving Kemp trapped and wounded. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Frangousto submarine base
• Hélène Calls for Help — Hélène finds wounded Kemp trapped and calls for help as police move in. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Frangousto submarine base
• Victim Identifies the Captured Man — A victim identifies the captured man, and keys in his pocket support the identification. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Frangousto submarine base
• Kemp Survives Injured — Kemp survives the case but is badly injured. Characters: Richard Kemp, Hélène Batistelli Location: Unspecified
• Return to the Present — Back in the present, Kemp prepares to meet his former wife. Characters: Richard Kemp Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• The River Murder — A woman's body and the evidence surrounding it draw Kemp into a disturbing case.
  • Body in Water — A woman's body is discovered in the water.
  • Homicide Evidence — The victim was bound, gagged, and had pierced eardrums.
• Kemp's Private Strain — The investigation coincides with personal difficulties and Kemp's sense of being haunted by an earlier crime.
  • Family Troubles — Kemp is distracted by troubles involving his son.
  • Hélène's Conversations — Hélène has spoken with Kemp about his feelings of being haunted.
• The 1989 Killings — The narrative returns to Kemp's earlier investigation of murders sharing a disturbing method.
  • Repeated Method — Victims are restrained, gagged, and drowned.
  • Press Nickname — The press calls the murderer the eardrum cutter.
• Foreknowledge and Protection — Kemp appears to know where the killer will strike and tries to avert future harm.
  • Future Details — Kemp appears to know details of murders before they happen.
  • Edith at Risk — Kemp tries to protect Edith despite signs that the killer may reach her.
• The Abduction Trail — Kemp follows a lead to reach the murderer, but the investigation fails to prevent every abduction.
  • Pierre Fabre Lead — Kemp follows a lead involving Pierre Fabre.
  • Another Girl Taken — Kemp saves Pierre while the killer abducts another girl and escapes.
• Verbeck and the Base — Kemp seeks assistance from Verbeck, and their clues lead toward the Frangousto submarine base.
  • Request for Help — Kemp turns to fellow inspector Verbeck.
  • Frangousto Clues — The investigation points toward a submarine base at Frangousto.
• Violent Confrontation — Kemp confronts the suspect at the base, where the situation becomes violent and leaves him wounded.
  • Kemp Wounded — Kemp becomes trapped and badly injured.
  • Hélène Calls — Hélène finds him and calls for help as police move in.
• Identification and Return — A victim identifies the captured man, and the story closes by returning to Kemp's present life.
  • Keys Support Identification — Keys found in the captured man's pocket support the identification.
  • Present-Day Meeting — Kemp prepares to meet his former wife, with the past's consequences unresolved.

Directed by

Germinal Alvarez

Key Cast

• Jean-Hugues Anglade — Richard Kemp
• Mélanie Thierry — Hélène Batistelli
• Philippe Bérodot — Verbeck
• Pierre Moure — Xavier
• Loïc Rojouan — Marseglia