The recent release of 'Toutes pour une,' directed by Houda Benyamina, has ignited intense debate among audiences and critics alike. This feminist parody of the classic 'The Three Musketeers' has not only struggled at the box office but has also faced significant backlash related to its viewer ratings.
'Toutes pour une,' which premiered on January 22, 2025, encountered immediate criticism and unremarkable ticket sales. On its opening day, the film attracted only 1,271 viewers across 564 screenings—averaging just over two ticket sales per show, as reported by Le Figaro. Over the first five days, fewer than 10,000 people opted to see the film, raising concerns over its viability even before being released to Belgian audiences shortly after.
Now, what escalated the situation was the drastic measure taken by AlloCiné, a reliable cinema rating site, which decided to suspend the display of audience ratings for 'Toutes pour une' as of January 24, 2025. This unprecedented action followed what they described as "un afflux anormalement élevé de notes extrêmes," meaning extreme ratings of either 0.5 or 5 appeared to flood the site. AlloCiné's decision was informed by the observation of unusual activity, suspecting coordination from trolls or organized groups intending to influence the film's reception without viewing it.
Critics have echoed these concerns, with Patrick Laurent from DH stating, "C'est l'histoire d'un naufrage total, en plein hiver, par un temps glacial et un brouillard qui ne permet pas de voir à plus de quelques centimètres. [...] Des débuts catastrophiques au box-office." Critics labeled the film as lacking coherence, with performances criticized for not convincingly portraying heroic figures. Many reviews expressed disappointment, indicating the film struggled to define its tone—oscillated between comedy and action without clear direction.
Conversely, some reviews offered a more positive reflection on the film, highlighting its aim to provide female empowerment through the narrative. One review claimed, "Toutes pour une est une bonne revisitation féminine de l’histoire de Les trois mousquetaires d’Alexandre Dumas père. [...] l’œuvre parle très bien de la liberté et de la possibilité de vivre sa vie en s’affranchissant des contraintes de la condition féminine." This perspective promotes the film as not just another action movie, but as one striving to bridge contemporary issues of gender roles within the construct of the story's historical roots.
Despite the starkly contrasting receptions, 'Toutes pour une' boasts notable performances from its cast, including Oulaya Amamra and Sabrina Ouazani. Critics noted the chemistry and talents of the leading ladies, even if the overall narrative was dismissed by many. According to the less favorable critiques, key character dynamics were undermined by heavy-handed humor and inadequate dialogue.
Nevertheless, the film's cinematography and action sequences were praised, with vivid descriptions of its visual appeal likened to works by renowned director Sergio Leone. This intriguing juxtaposition of criticism against several commendable elements demonstrates the film's clear intent to provoke thought on the boundaries faced by women historically and presently.
Many are left to wonder: does the extreme reaction—both positive and negative—reflect consumer biases and how might this impact the distribution of films like 'Toutes pour une'? Time will tell whether this initial backlash transforms from being merely anecdotal to impacting the careers of those involved or shaping future narratives within the French film industry.