What does Ad Vitam mean? Explained

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A still from Ad Vitam (Image via Netflix)
A still from Ad Vitam (Image via Netflix)

Netflix added a French film titled Ad Vitam to its library on January 10, 2025. Shot in Paris, as revealed via Tudum, the film stars Guillaume Canet, Stéphane Caillard, Zita Hanrot, and Alexis Manenti among others.

The title 'Ad Vitam' may be a mystery to viewers who have already seen the film or who intend to do so in the near future.

To put it simply, Ad Vitam is a Latin expression that means 'for life.' Follow along to learn more on the same.


Decoding the cryptic title: Ad Vitam

Those who have already watched the French thriller, are familiar with the character of Franck (played by Guillaume Canet). In the movie, Franck, a former elite GIGN officer, wears a GIGN badge that features the aforementioned phrase on the back of it. This badge is a family heirloom from Frank’s deceased father.

In Ad Vitam, after Franck’s pregnant wife, Leo, gets abducted, Franck is clueless about the abduction.

However diving into his past, viewers are shown how he was dismissed from GIGN because of a failed mission, in which an agent named Nico (who was Franck’s partner) was killed.

Franck, who was wearing the badge during the botched mission to track down the culprits that resulted in Nico's death, later discovered that his badge had DNA of the culprits in the form of dried blood.

After getting the dried blood on the badge tested, Franck understood the bigger conspiracy and that the government and higher officials were involved behind Leo’s kidnapping and also the death of his partner.

When the corrupt agents and officials become aware of the evidence Franck possesses, they immediately want to get rid of it, and also silence Franck.

Franck is captured and eventually jailed in Ad Vitam, however, Leo remains alive and also gives birth to a girl.

At the end of the movie, Leo is shown having all the evidence that was collected by Franck. The evidence is then used to bring down the criminals who kidnapped Leo and also killed Franck’s partner.

'Ad Vitam,' which means 'for life', indicates that Franck collected all the evidence against the dishonest officials to protect his wife and baby's 'life.' Furthermore, the lost 'life' of his partner is the reason he wanted to make sure that the criminals are caught and his buddy is given justice.

The protagonist is inspired to help everyone in danger and lives by the words engraved on the back of his badge. 'For life' is Franck's slogan, and 'life' is what motivates him to rescue lives. It is much more than a simple statement on his badge.

Despite being discharged as a GIGN agent, he remains a GIGN agent 'for life' because he followed in his father's footsteps and worked to uphold morality while punishing transgressions.


What is GIGN?

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In the French thriller, the protagonist Franck is a member of a French tactical police unit called the GIGN.

GIGN or Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale, is an elite police force. They deal with counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and other crucial missions.

Like Franck’s father, he too follows his footsteps and becomes a member of this tactical squad however he doesn’t hold the position for long and is fired after a failed mission that leads to the death of Nico, as mentioned before.


Ad Vitam is now streaming on Netflix.

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Edited by Sreerupa Das
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