The Devil, Probably (1977) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Charles's despair, unstable relationships, and growing preoccupation with death unfold beneath an unresolved report of a young man's fatal end.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Death in the Frame

The film opens with a report of a young man's death at Père-Lachaise, with doubt cast on the claim of suicide. The story then moves back six months to Charles's despair and anger at the world.

Key Events

• Death Report at Père-Lachaise — A report says a young man has died, raising doubt that the death was suicide. Location: Père-Lachaise
• Charles's Despair — Six months earlier, Charles is consumed by despair and anger at a senseless world. Characters: Charles Location: Paris
• Argument over Action — Charles dismisses calls for action as empty slogans while others debate whether change is possible. Characters: Charles Location: Unspecified

Arguments Against Change

Charles rejects calls for action as empty slogans while others debate whether change remains possible. His distress also encompasses pollution, poisoned wildlife, and the destruction of animal species for profit.

Key Events

• Environmental Destruction — Charles is troubled by polluted waters, poisoned wildlife, and species destroyed for profit. Characters: Charles, Michel Location: Unspecified
• Unsettled Relationships — Charles moves among those close to him but cannot offer them certainty about his feelings. Characters: Charles, Alberte, Edwige, Michel Location: Unspecified
• Marriage Mentioned — Charles speaks of marrying Alberte, but the idea is presented as reassurance rather than a firm promise. Characters: Charles, Alberte Location: Unspecified

Uncertain Intimacies

Charles moves among Alberte, Edwige, and Michel without offering emotional certainty. His mention of marriage to Alberte and plan to stay with Edwige leave the women questioning his motives.

Key Events

• Plan to Stay with Edwige — Charles plans to stay with Edwige while her father is away. Characters: Charles, Edwige Location: Unspecified
• Fear of Confused Motives — The women worry that Charles's choices may come from guilt or confusion rather than love. Characters: Alberte, Edwige, Charles Location: Unspecified
• Cyanide Discovered — Edwige finds cyanide among Charles's belongings, intensifying fears about his intentions. Characters: Edwige, Charles Location: Unspecified

Signs of Self-Harm

Edwige discovers cyanide, and the discussion of a gun and bullet makes Charles's possible suicidal intent harder to ignore. Charles resists efforts to protect or manage him, while Valentin's drugged return adds to the group's fragility.

Key Events

• Cyanide Discovered — Edwige finds cyanide among Charles's belongings, intensifying fears about his intentions. Characters: Edwige, Charles Location: Unspecified
• Gun and Bullet Discussed — A gun and a bullet enter the conversation, and those around Charles fear he may be considering suicide. Characters: Charles Location: Unspecified
• Offer of Work Refused — Charles resists attempts to protect or manage him, including an offer of work and support from a bookseller. Characters: Charles Location: Unspecified
• Valentin Returns Drugged — Valentin returns in a drugged state and is temporarily taken in. Characters: Valentin Location: Unspecified

Death in Charles's Thoughts

In conversation with a psychiatrist, Charles describes dreams of being murdered and acknowledges having considered drowning or using a gun. His detached reflections on religion and ordinary life lead back to the unresolved death report.

Key Events

• Conversation with Psychiatrist — Charles describes recurring dreams of being murdered and discusses his thoughts of death. Characters: Charles Location: Unspecified
• Methods of Suicide Considered — Charles says he has considered drowning himself or using a gun. Characters: Charles Location: Unspecified
• Bitter Inventory of Life — Charles questions religious judgment and lists ordinary routines and institutions with bitter detachment. Characters: Charles Location: Unspecified
• Fatal Report Remains Unresolved — The opening death report shadows the story, but the excerpts do not establish exactly what happened or whether it was suicide. Characters: Charles Location: Père-Lachaise

Story Breakdown

• Foreboding Death Report — The opening report frames the story with uncertainty about whether the death was suicide or murder.
  • Père-Lachaise Report — A young man's death is reported at Père-Lachaise.
  • Murder Suspicion — The report suggests the apparent suicide may have been murder.
• Charles's Despair — Six months earlier, Charles is already alienated from a world he regards as senseless and destructive.
  • Anger at Society — Charles's despair is accompanied by anger at the world around him.
  • Rejected Action — He dismisses calls for action as empty slogans.
• Environmental Alarm — Environmental damage reinforces Charles's bleak view of the world.
  • Polluted Waters — Charles is troubled by polluted waters and poisoned wildlife.
  • Species Destroyed — He objects to animal species being destroyed for profit.
• Uncertain Relationships — Charles's closeness to Alberte and Edwige does not give either woman certainty about his feelings.
  • Marriage Mentioned — Charles speaks of marrying Alberte, but the idea is not presented as a firm promise.
  • Stay with Edwige — Charles plans to stay with Edwige while her father is away.
• Friends and Responses — Michel's role as confidant and Valentin's troubled return contribute to the fragile social setting around Charles.
  • Michel's Perspective — Michel becomes a confidant and commentator, though his activism does not inspire Charles.
  • Valentin Returns — Valentin returns drugged and is temporarily taken in.
• Warnings of Suicide — Discoveries and conversations make Charles's preoccupation with self-destruction increasingly alarming to those around him.
  • Cyanide Found — Edwige finds cyanide among Charles's belongings.
  • Gun and Bullet — A gun and a bullet enter the conversation, prompting fears that Charles may be considering suicide.
• Death and Detachment — Charles discusses death directly and reflects on life with bitter distance, while the opening report remains unresolved.
  • Dreams of Murder — Charles tells a psychiatrist about recurring dreams of being murdered.
  • Unresolved Ending — The supplied plot does not establish exactly what happened or whether the reported death was suicide.

Directed by

Robert Bresson

Key Cast

• Antoine Monnier — Charles
• Tina Irissari — Alberte
• Henri de Maublanc — Michel
• Laetitia Carcano — Edwige
• Nicolas Deguy — Valentin