Summary

• The success of "Anatomy of a Fall" lies in its strong supporting cast, not just Sandra Hüller's central performance.
• This French legal thriller explores uncertainty, guilt, and deception in relationships, driving an engaging mystery.
• The ambiguous mystery thriller relies on convincing performances and a tense character study, making the cast indispensable.

Although the French legal thriller Anatomy of a Fall revolves around Sandra Hüller's Oscar-nominated central performance, the movie only succeeds thanks to an incredibly strong supporting cast. Set predominantly within a courtroom and utilizing flashbacks and abrupt scene changes to unearth the main mystery, the movie is a tense character study that relies on convincing performances. As a result, The Anatomy of a Fall cast are perhaps the biggest factor behind the film's deserved reputation.

Anatomy of a Fall is an ambiguous mystery thriller that explores how uncertainty, guilt, and dishonesty can damage any relationship. Sandra Hüller plays Sandra, a writer whose world is turned upside down when her husband is discovered dead outside their home having apparently fallen out of the window. The question of whether or not Sandra is responsible for his death drives the drama, with Sandra's interactions with other supporting characters ensuring the story remains engaging throughout. Even though its cast is not as extensive as some projects, Anatomy of a Fall's actors are indispensable.

Sandra Hüller as Sandra

Sandra Hüller is 45 years old

Actor: German-born Hüller is a veteran of European cinema, having appeared in a variety of German, French, and British films, as well as several American projects. Although she has been active since 1999, her most notable roles have come since 2016, starting with an award-winning performance in the 2016 comedy Toni Erdmann. Her performance in Anatomy of a Fall earned worldwide acclaim, netting Hüller an Academy Award nomination. She was also praised for her performance as Hedwig Höss in Jonathan Glazer's harrowing Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest, which secured her further awards.

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Character: Sandra is the pivotal character in Anatomy of a Fall. A successful writer whose strained relationship with her husband ultimately leads to tragedy, the mystery around her guilt is what propels the narrative forward. Throughout the story, Sandra's guilt or innocence is never fully explained, with the movie often suggesting conflicting explanations as to what happens. As a result, the role requires incredible subtlety from Hüller, explaining why she was so acclaimed.

Samuel Theïs as Samuel

Samuel Theïs is 44 years old

Actor: A French actor and director, Theïs has featured in a number of prominent projects since his debut in 2007. As well as successful period dramas such as The Princess of Montpensier, he has also appeared in comedies such as Our Futures and Musée haut, musée bas. Theïs has also won acclaim as a director, jointly winning a Camera d'Or award in 2014 for his work on the autobiographical drama Party Girl.

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Character: Despite being killed very early in the movie, Samuel's presence permeates Anatomy of a Fall's story. He haunts the house after his death, while the complexities of his relationship with Sandra are only revealed in snapshots. However, he does feature in one of the movie's most powerful scenes – a fight in the kitchen where the two main characters express their frustration with one another. He also has a heartbreaking exchange with his son that helps set up the emotional climax of the movie, marking Samuel out as a crucial character.

Milo Machado-Graner as Daniel

Milo Machado-Graner is 15 years old

Actor: Paris-born Machado-Graner has a relatively limited resume, yet has already proven that he has the potential to be a star. His performance as Daniel earned multiple awards, including several critics' prizes. However, the legal thriller is not his only leading role. Machado-Graner has also appeared in the movies Waiting For Bojangles (where he starred alongside his brother), and Stuck Together, as well as the TV show In Therapy. His next project will be the movie Spectacteurs!, which is currently in post-production.

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Character: Although Anatomy of a Fall's central question concerns Sandra's guilt, Daniel is probably the biggest determining factor in how the story plays out. After Daniel is left partially blind following a tragic accident, Samuel's guilt over his involvement is cited as a major factor in his death. Daniel himself is completely torn over his mother's potential guilt, eventually taking dire steps to try and get to the bottom of the case – dramatically testifying in one of the film's closing scenes.

Swann Arlaud as Vincent

Swann Arlaud is 43 years old

Actor: A prolific performer since the late 1980s, French-born actor Swann Arlaud has won several awards in a career spanning nearly four decades. While he won a prestigious César award for his portrayal of charismatic lawyer Vincent, he has been similarly lauded throughout his career, winning the same Best Supporting Actor award in 2020, as well as a Best Actor César in 2018 for Bloody Milk. In total, Arlaud has featured in nearly 70 movies, highlighting his longevity and success as a performer.

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Character: Despite serving as Sandra's defense attorney, Vincent embodies Anatomy of a Fall's deliberate uncertainty around the main character's guilt. In court, he builds a compelling case to support his client, at times becoming uncomfortably close to her, yet quickly establishes that he does not believe her explanation behind Samuel's death. These contradictions make Vincent one of the movie's most interesting characters.

Antoine Reinartz as the Prosecutor

Antoine Reinartz is 39 years old

Actor: A prolific theater and film actor, Reinartz received his second César nomination for his performance in Anatomy of a Fall. However, despite its high profile, this is far from Reinartz's only notable role. The 39-year-old won acclaim for his performance in 2017's BPM, as well as his work in the 2019 crime drama Oh Mercy!, and the 2022 drama Softie – in which he was directed by fellow Anatomy of a Fall actor Samuel Theïs.

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Character: Perhaps the most hostile presence in the movie, the prosecutor successfully unpicks the many layers that previously sat below the surface of Sandra and Samuel's relationship. Where most characters are uncertain of Sandra's guilt, the prosecutor appears totally convinced, building a compelling case based on expert testimony and circumstantial detail. However, despite his conviction, it also becomes clear that his case is nowhere near as straightforward as he suggests.

Jehnny Beth as Marge

Jehnny Beth is 39 years old

Actor: Despite being best known as a musician, London-based Jehnny Beth has also built an impressive career in front of the camera. In addition to being the frontwoman for post-punk band Savages, Beth has appeared in 11 movies as an actor, as well as one short film and a TV miniseries. This collection makes her one of the most eclectic performers in Anatomy of a Fall, with her previous credits encompassing romance (An Impossible Love), drama (Paris, 13th District), and comedy (En même temps).

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Character: Although she isn't present for all of the drama, Marge is another pivotal character in how Anatomy of a Fall's story plays out. Assigned to look after Daniel when it's deemed Sandra might try and influence him as a witness, she forms a close relationship with the bereaved boy, becoming his confidante. This bond determines Daniel's actions later on in the film and ultimately highlights the distance between Daniel and Sandra.

Anatomy Of A Fall Supporting Cast And Characters