Netflix Reunites With Guillaume Canet On Sequel To Hit-Action Thriller ‘Ad Vitam’
Netflix has begun filming a sequel to its 2025 French action thriller Ad Vitam, with Guillaume Canet returning to star as former elite agent Franck Lazareff. Working titled Ad Vitam Eternam, the follow-up continues the story after the first film's cliffhanger ending, in which Lazareff was cleared of false charges and released from prison. The move underlines Netflix's continued investment in successful non-English-language originals, following the first instalment's strong viewership performance.
The new film's synopsis reveals Lazareff survives an assassination attempt after leaving prison and goes into hiding with his family, only to be tracked down by French intelligence services, who offer him a covert mission in exchange for the truth he seeks. Ludovic Colbeau-Justin directs, taking over from Rodolphe Lauga, while Canet co-wrote the script with Maxime Chattam. Returning cast members Stéphane Caillard, Nassim Lyes and Zita Hanrot are joined by newcomers Nicolas Duvauchelle, Sophie Marceau and Mathieu Amalric, with filming taking place across several regions of France. The original Ad Vitam, released in January 2025, reached Netflix's top ten for non-English films with around 54 million views in its first month.
- Netflix begins filming Ad Vitam Eternam, sequel to hit French thriller.
- Guillaume Canet returns; Ludovic Colbeau-Justin directs, replacing Rodolphe Lauga.
- Original Ad Vitam drew 54 million views in its first month on Netflix.
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Netflix's 2025 French thriller Ad Vitam followed Franck Lazareff, a former elite intelligence agent wrongly accused of a crime, played by well-known French actor and director Guillaume Canet. The film proved a major hit for Netflix among its non-English-language titles, drawing tens of millions of views shortly after release and ending on a cliffhanger that left the door open for more story.
Netflix has now begun making a sequel, working-titled Ad Vitam Eternam, with Canet reprising his role and several other original cast members returning alongside newly added stars. A new director has taken over behind the camera, while Canet has also helped write the script, and filming is under way in France.
The project matters chiefly because it shows Netflix continuing to back non-English productions that perform well internationally, rather than relying solely on English-language originals. It also continues a story about intelligence agencies, hidden truths and a family trying to stay safe, themes that were central to the first film.