For the first time in his career, Jean Dujardin tries his hand at science fiction in Jan Koonen’s new film The Shrinking Man. The actor plays an ordinary man, Paul, a victim of an inexplicable phenomenon: he disappears and shrinks at an accelerated rate.
A true genre film, this ambitious project allows the Oscar-winning Frenchman to explore new territories in front of the camera. But what is its relation to genre cinema? With the Halloween season just around the corner, we asked Jean Dujardin to talk about his favorite horror movie.
An anxiety classic
“without hesitation the exorcist. I saw it again and it hasn’t changed. This is very well done until this absolutely terrifying scene where the mother climbs the stairs and enters this room“- explains the actor.
He continues: “The Exorcist works around a fairly slow angst. It’s the angst that I like, just like in The Shrinking Man. Something is happening, but we don’t really know what we have. We go to the family doctor, who will send you to an endocrinologist. We make test batteries and we see the anxiety of this man who gets up at night, plays sports… then we know the man’s hypochondria..”
“The Exorcist” by William Friedkin.
“I have this memory in The Exorcist. We will take the time to tell you that what is happening is very normal. In fact, it is “simply” inhabited by the devil. Then when it happens five minutes after the opening credits, you won’t believe it. And I’m still afraid to see him again. I saw it when I was 14, which wasn’t the best idea. It was really hard for me to sleep.“
Comments collected by Thomas Desroches, Paris, October 9, 2025
The Shrinking Man, currently in theaters
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
