Coup de Torchon (1981)
Kernel Score: 79% · 212 ratings
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Released: 1981-11-04
Runtime: 128 minutes
Where to watch Coup de Torchon
- Stream: The Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A pathetic police chief, humiliated by everyone around him, suddenly wants a clean slate in life, and resorts to drastic means to achieve it.
Coup de Torchon parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this dark comedy-crime film involves murder, adultery, racism, and revenge killings in colonial French West Africa.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Includes murder, revenge killings, and gun violence throughout the plot.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes adultery, a mistress, an open marriage, and voyeurism as plot elements.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Coup de Torchon
If you liked Coup de Torchon, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Killing (1956) — 86%
- The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) — 83%
- Band of Outsiders (1964) — 83%
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) — 85%
- Nightmare Alley (2021) — 77%
- Polisse (2011) — 86%
- Diabolique (1955) — 88%
Director
Bertrand Tavernier
Cast
- Philippe Noiret as Lucien Cordier
- Isabelle Huppert as Rose Mercaillou
- Jean-Pierre Marielle as Le Peron / Le Peron's twin brother
- Stéphane Audran as Huguette Cordier
- Eddy Mitchell as Nono
- Guy Marchand as Marcel Chavasson
- Michel Beaune as Vanderbrouck
- Jean Champion as Le curé
- Victor Garrivier as Marcaillou
- Gérard Hernandez as Leonelli
Coup de Torchon FAQ
Is Coup de Torchon good?
Coup de Torchon has a 79% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 212 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Coup de Torchon?
In the US you can stream Coup de Torchon on The Criterion Channel and HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Coup de Torchon OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this dark comedy-crime film involves murder, adultery, racism, and revenge killings in colonial French West Africa.
What movies are like Coup de Torchon?
If you liked Coup de Torchon, try The Killing, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, Band of Outsiders and Killers of the Flower Moon.