Is this movie based on a real person?

Yes, André Bamberski is a real person and the events depicted—including his daughter Kalinka's death and his 30-year quest for justice—are based on his actual life and legal battle.

How graphic is the movie?

It isn't a horror movie or a slasher. The violence is mostly off-screen or discussed in medical/legal terms. The intensity comes from the emotional weight and the descriptions of the crime rather than visual gore.

Is it entirely in French?

Yes, it is a French production. You will need to use subtitles unless you speak the language. It's a great opportunity for French students to practice, but it requires full attention.

Will my 11-year-old be bored?

Honestly? Probably. Unless they have a very high tolerance for adult dramas and legal procedures, the pacing might feel slow for a younger middle-schooler.

In Her Name – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

In Her Name

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

74%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A father spends three decades hunting for the truth behind his daughter's death in this gripping, true-crime French drama.

100%

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In Her Name

movie

15, 2016

74%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A father spends three decades hunting for the truth behind his daughter's death in this gripping, true-crime French drama.

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

In Her Name is a somber, meticulously crafted drama that trades action for the slow, grinding gears of international law. It’s not a 'fun' family movie night pick, but it’s a deeply compelling one for families who don't mind subtitles and a bit of a cry.

The film succeeds because it doesn't try to make André a superhero; it just shows him as a father who can't sleep until the truth is acknowledged. It's a solid 74—high marks for quality and acting, but docked slightly because it's a tough, specialized watch that won't appeal to every kid.

Age Fit

Best for 13 and up. While Common Sense suggests 11, the subject matter—child death and a decades-long legal battle—is sophisticated and emotionally heavy. It's a great pick for teens who are already into true crime podcasts or legal thrillers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it's a story of deep parental love, the core is a 30-year obsession fueled by grief and the suspicious death of a child. It's emotionally taxing rather than 'warm.'

Imaginative

This is a strictly realist, procedural drama based on a true story. It doesn't aim for creative world-building, but rather a faithful recreation of a legal battle.

Safe

The plot centers on the death of a 14-year-old and allegations of medical assault/murder. For a teenager, it's safe in a 'mature content' sense, but it is heavy and potentially triggering.

Enriching

It offers a masterclass in persistence and a fascinating look at the friction between French and German legal systems. It's a great study in justice versus the law.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Daniel Auteuil delivers a powerhouse performance as André Bamberski, capturing the exhaustion and grit of a man who refuses to move on.
It avoids the typical Hollywood courtroom tropes in favor of a slow-burn, realistic look at how the legal system can fail victims across borders.
The true-story weight adds a layer of gravity that makes the final resolution feel earned rather than scripted.

⚠

What to Watch For

The film deals with the death of a 14-year-old girl, and while it isn't gratuitous, the autopsy discussions and clinical details are unsettling.
There are heavy implications of medical misconduct and sexual assault that form the basis of the father's accusations against the stepfather.
It's a French-language film, so unless your kid is fluent, they'll be reading subtitles for 90 minutes. For some, that's a dealbreaker.

Conversation Starters

"Is there a difference between seeking justice and seeking revenge?"
"Why do you think the two different countries had such a hard time agreeing on the evidence?"
"How does André's obsession affect the rest of his life and his other relationships?"
"If the law fails to do the right thing, is it ever okay to take matters into your own hands?"

Deep Dive

Originally titled Au nom de ma fille, this film tackles the real-life Kalinka Bamberski case, which remains one of the most famous legal sagas in modern French history. If your kid is in that phase where they are obsessed with Serial or Making a Murderer, this is the cinematic equivalent. It’s a grounded, non-sensationalized look at what happens when a private citizen decides the system is wrong and spends his entire life trying to prove it.

A different kind of thriller

Most American legal thrillers rely on a 'gotcha' moment in a courtroom. This isn't that. It’s about the passage of time—the 1980s turn into the 90s, then the 2000s, and André just keeps filing papers, hiring detectives, and making noise. It’s a great way to show kids that change and justice often require boring, relentless paperwork rather than dramatic speeches.

The subtitle hurdle

Let’s be real: for a lot of 12-year-olds, a subtitled French movie about a botched autopsy is a hard sell. This is a movie you watch with them, probably when they're a bit older and can appreciate the nuances of the performance. It's a 'quiet' movie, but the emotional stakes are deafening.

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