Julien Madon

Julien Madon’s got his fingerprints all over some seriously gripping films, and honestly, his work kind of sneaks up on you. Take Killer Elite (2011)—it’s not just another action flick. It’s got this gritty, globe-trotting vibe, secret agents, betrayals, the works. There’s Jason Statham doing what he does best: punching, running, scowling. But underneath all those high-octane scenes, you feel this tension, like nobody’s really safe. Madon knows how to keep you guessing, and somehow, he makes every punch feel personal. Then he did a sharp left turn and worked on Lol (2012), which is a total 180. This one’s got Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore, and it’s all about the messiness of being a teenager—awkward breakups, weird friendships, that endless drama between parents and kids. Madon’s touch is more subtle here, but it’s there. The movie doesn’t pretend teens aren’t a little bit ridiculous sometimes. It just rolls with it, which is honestly pretty refreshing. And then there’s L'affaire SK1 (2014), which, wow, that’s a ride. True crime buffs eat this one up. It dives into the police hunt for a serial killer in Paris—dark alleys, frantic investigators, the whole city on edge. The way Madon handles the story, you feel every bit of the frustration and obsession. He’s not afraid to show the ugly side of the hunt, the way it chews up everyone involved. All in all, Madon’s movies might not always be the loudest in the room, but they stick with you.