On March 4, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., viewers will be able to (re)discover Custody, a tense, intimate drama written and directed by Xavier Legrand. Originally released in 2017, this feature quickly stood out as one of the most striking domestic dramas of its decade, earning four César Awards in 2019, including Best Film. At its core, the movie examines domestic violence and the fallout of a bitter separation through the eyes of a family caught in a legal and emotional crossfire.
A family court decision that shatters an already fragile balance
The story centers on Miriam and Antoine Besson, a couple going through a divorce and fighting over custody of their two children: Joséphine, almost an adult, and 11‑year‑old Julien. Miriam accuses Antoine of being violent and asks the family court for full custody of Julien.
Despite the arguments laid out in court and a letter written by Julien explicitly saying he does not want to see his father, the judge rules in favor of joint custody. From that moment, the legal decision becomes the trigger for escalating tension: what is supposed to be a shared arrangement for the sake of the child becomes an emotional battlefield.
Julien is now forced to spend every other weekend with Antoine. These visits are not about rebuilding a healthy bond; instead, Antoine uses the time to pressure his son for information about where Miriam plans to live. Trapped between fear and loyalty, Julien does everything he can to shield his mother and sister, while the atmosphere grows more suffocating and dangerous with each visit.
A first feature that expands on an earlier short film
Custody is Xavier Legrand’s first feature-length film. It extends the world and characters he introduced in his short film Avant que de tout perdre, bringing back the same central figures and pushing their story further.
Actors Léa Drucker, Denis Ménochet and Mathilde Auneveux, already present in the short, return to inhabit their roles again in this full-length version. Their performances, anchored in the same narrative universe, give a sense of continuity and deepen the emotional impact of the family’s ordeal.
When it was released, critics praised Legrand’s direction and the precision of his storytelling. The film achieved:
- An average rating of 4.2/5 from critics on Allociné;
- 94% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes;
- A score of 83/100 on Metacritic.
Reviewers highlighted both its stylistic control and emotional power. One outlet described it as “a sober and intense film, dazzling in its mastery”, while another pointed to its evolution toward the codes of film noir. Critic Thomas Sotinel emphasized how the direction captures “blindness and its consequences”, underlining the way institutions and loved ones can fail to recognize the signs of abuse until it is too late.
Watch the trailer for custody
To get a feel for the tone of Custody before tuning in, you can watch the trailer below, which hints at the suffocating atmosphere and psychological stakes without giving away the entire narrative arc:
Awards, acclaim and box office performance
Custody has built an impressive track record on the awards circuit, both domestically and internationally. Among its main achievements:
- Four César Awards in 2019: Best Film, Best Actress for Léa Drucker, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing;
- Silver Lion for Best Director at the 2017 Venice International Film Festival;
- Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut Film;
- Lumière Award for Best First Film in 2019.
At the box office in its home market, the film drew 373,768 admissions. With a running time of 93 minutes, it fits squarely within the social and family drama genre, delivering a tight, focused narrative that gradually ratchets up the tension.
Why custody matters for audiences today
Beyond its critical success and awards, Custody resonates because it tackles domestic violence not as a distant social issue, but as something that unfolds behind closed doors, often out of sight of the justice system and friends and family. By focusing on a custody ruling and its impact on a young boy, the film raises uncomfortable questions about how institutions respond to allegations of abuse and how children are placed at the center of conflicts they did not create.
For viewers in the United States, the themes will feel familiar: contested divorces, debates around joint versus sole custody, and the challenge of proving abuse in court are all issues that echo far beyond any single country. The movie invites audiences to reflect on how legal decisions, even when made in the name of fairness, can leave the most vulnerable family members exposed.
Key details for the march 4 broadcast
If you plan to watch Custody, here are the essential points to keep in mind:
- Broadcast date and time: March 4, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.;
- Writer-director: Xavier Legrand;
- Awards: four César Awards in 2019, including Best Film;
- Story focus: a high-conflict divorce, a court-imposed joint custody decision, and the experience of a child facing domestic violence.
This airing is an opportunity to revisit — or discover for the first time — a recent work that has left a strong mark on contemporary cinema.
FAQ
When is Custody airing on TV?
Custody is scheduled to air on March 4, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Who wrote and directed Custody?
The film was both written and directed by Xavier Legrand.
How many major awards has Custody won?
Custody won four César Awards in 2019, including Best Film, as well as several international honors such as the Silver Lion for Best Director and the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut Film.
What is the central theme of Custody?
The movie explores the consequences of a contentious divorce and a court-ordered joint custody arrangement in a situation marked by domestic violence, focusing especially on the impact this has on the couple’s young son.
