Ad Vitam on Netflix: Did Guillaume Cane Do His Own Stunts?

Netflix is ​​kicking off 2025 by airing its new French film called Ad Vitam. Written and starring Guillaume Canet, this thriller tells the story of a former GIGN member who embarks on a race against time to save his pregnant wife from a gang of kidnappers.

Guillaume Canet confronts his own phobia for filming purposes

Spectacular suspense and action scenes form the recipe for this super thriller from Rodolphe Lauga (La Source). In order to shoot, the 51-year-old actor did not hesitate to undergo an intensive four-month training course. But that’s not all, because the latter wanted to do all his stunts himself.

The scene where he is seen falling from the top of the Sacré Cœur at the beginning of the film also forced Guillaume Canet to confront his fear of heights. But the challenge was worth it, as the man who inherited the nickname “Guyguy Cruise” (in reference to Tom Cruise) confided on set:

I went to work at GIGN to prepare rappel scenes, it was something I had never done before and I had to face my fear of heights. A real trauma for me… (…) I was taught to turn off my brain to eliminate fear and just be in action. I found it enjoyable and fascinating.

Bebel’s shadow

The films of Jean-Paul Belmondo were one of the sources of inspiration for Ad Vitam, especially Le Professionnel and Peur sur la ville. It was the latter who suggested Guillaume Canet to highlight the taste of extreme sports in his films.

The writing of the film was also very intense, as the script was created in parallel with Guillaume Canet’s physical training. “We had to finish writing and start physical training. Every morning I got up at 5:30 to work 2 hours at home with my coach, former weightlifting champion Denis Zhukov. (…) bodybuilding, boxing, cardio. Etc.: Dennis bothered me every day for 3 months!”

The thriller Ad Vitam with Guillaume Canet is now available exclusively on Netflix.

Discover the list of movies currently available on the platform!