By Juan Markos
Hollyshorts Nominated for Top Live Action Finalists, Best Drama
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 07/21/2025 – Mercenaire is a compelling new short film by writer and director Pier-Philippe Chevigny. The story revolves around David, an ex-convict portrayed by Marc-André Grondin, who finds himself working in a slaughterhouse as part of an integration program. The film is shot from a voyeuristic perspective, immersing the audience in David’s unsettling world right from the start.
As the film opens, we see David amid his grim job, gently guiding pigs through doorways, his face etched with discontent. The audience is initially unaware that this is a slaughterhouse; the scenes unfold with a disturbing normalcy that highlights his profound unhappiness and desperate quest for a more meaningful life. In a poignant moment, David speaks with a woman, Isabelle, played by Sandrine Bisson, about his dissatisfaction at work. Initially perceived as a therapist, she reveals herself to be his parole officer, an unexpected twist. She inquires whether he has had contact with the families of his victims or his accomplice, and it becomes clear that her role is far from that of a counselor; she is a caseworker deeply entwined in his troubled past.
The film confronts the grotesque nature of slaughterhouse work, portraying the brutal reality not just of killing animals but also of the toxic dynamics among the workers. David faces relentless bullying from his colleagues, who mock his empathy towards the pigs, creating a harrowing contrast between the slaughter of innocent creatures and the cruelty of human interactions. It’s almost unbelievable that this man, a convicted killer, struggles to reconcile his actions, grappling with the weight of taking lives, both animal and, in his past, human.
The tension escalates dramatically to a breaking point when David finds himself in a chokehold with a taunting coworker. It’s a moment thick with dread; he is urged to let go or face the consequences, revealing the emotional turmoil that lies beneath his surface. We see a man pushed to his limits, caught between his violent past and an instinct for compassion. The film offers no backstory to his previous crimes, leaving the audience to ponder the circumstances that led him to such a dark path.
Each actor delivers an incredible performance, making the film feel like a gritty documentary or found footage, capturing the raw essence of life inside the slaughterhouse. Grondin’s portrayal of David is especially captivating; his internal struggle draws you in, creating an emotional connection that lingers long after the credits roll.
In a strikingly abrupt conclusion, the film leaves viewers yearning for more, the unresolved tension hanging heavy in the air. The exploration of guilt, redemption, and the nature of work in such a harsh environment makes Mercenaire a hauntingly memorable experience that will screen at this years Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles. For tickets or info please visit Hollyshorts.com
