Yoroï
| Yoroï | |
|---|---|
 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | David Tomaszewski |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Orelsan Skread Renan Artukmaç Clément Cotentin Julien Deris David Gauquié |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Antoine Sanier |
| Edited by | Florent Vassault |
Production company | Cinéfrance Studios |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures France |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
Yoroï is a 2025 French action comedy-drama film directed by David Tomaszewski and co-written by Aurélien Cotentin (better known as Orelsan), released on 29 October 2025 in France by Sony Pictures France.
Synopsis
After a grueling final tour, Aurélien (Orelsan), a French musician, decides to settle down in a secluded house in Japan with his wife, Nanako (Clara Choï), who is pregnant with their first child. As the young couple moves into a traditional house in the Japanese countryside, Aurélien discovers an ancient suit of armor in a well that awakens strange creatures—the Yōkai—which the couple must fight every night.
Cast
Production
Development
Yoroï was directed by David Tomaszewski, a frequent collaborator of Orelsan and the director of the music video for Orelsan's 2021 song "L'odeur de l'essence".[2] Orelsan describes the genre of the film as a "fantasy family adventure comedy".[3]
The screenplay was co-written by Orelsan[2] and Tomaszewski. The story blends "fiction and reality, exploring Orelsan's fears related to fatherhood",[4] and features creatures from Japanese folktales.[2] Orelsan said the screenplay writing process "was a pretty long but fun process—like a form of therapy."[5]
The title of the film, Yoroï, originates from "Ō-yoroi", meaning "armor" in Japanese.[6] The film was produced by David Gauquié and Julien Deris, for the production companies Cinéfrance Studios and Attita.[7]
Casting
In early November 2024, actress Clara Choï was revealed to play Nanako, the wife of Aurélien, a role of which Orelsan plays himself.[2][7] In mid-June 2025, musicians Skread, Ablaye, and Gringe were revealed as part of the film's cast.[1]
Filming
Filming began in late March 2024,[8] in Osaka, Japan, near Mount Fuji southwest of Tokyo, and then in France between May and July of that year,[4] at Bry-sur-Marne Studios, as well as in Île-de-France, also known as the Paris region.[6] Filming wrapped up in September 2024.[1]
Music
The music for the film was composed by David Soltany, featuring Eddie Purple, Orelsan, Phazz, and Skread, and is partly performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.[9]
Release
Yoroï had its preview screening, which was attended by Orelsan, on the evening of 2 October 2025, at Pathé Cinemas in Caen,[10][11] where the theater had "sold out in a matter of minutes" a month earlier.[12] Another preview screening took place on the evening of 16 October that year, attended by Orelsan and Clara Choï, in the main auditorium of Le Grand Rex in Paris,[13][14] ahead of its nationwide release on 29 October in France.[15]
Reception
Box office
Yoroï had grossed €1,094,100 (approximately $1,251,552) in France, garnered from 223,783 admissions.[16]
Critical response
The website AlloCiné averaged the film at a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, based on reviews from 23 critics.[17]
Catherine Balle, of the newspaper Le Parisien, states that the "metaphorical monster movie [is] very entertaining."[18] On the other hand, Télérama claims that "Orelsan fails to engage in self-criticism in this fantastic work, which focuses more on his own ego and seems to be aimed primarily at his fans."[19] France Culture describes the film as "at times clumsy, with some unnecessary scenes, but one that, in its simplicity, is nonetheless funny and self-deprecating."[20]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Le Japon, une armure magique et des spectres : Orelsan dévoile la bande-annonce de « Yoroï », son nouveau film". Le Parisien. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Jérôme Lachasse (8 November 2024). "Orelsan: "Yoroï', son nouveau film très mytérieux, dévoile son synopsis et sa date de sortie". BFM TV. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ Jean-Philippe Gautier (2 October 2025). "Avec son film « Yoroï », Orelsan enfile une armure pour se mettre à nu". Ouest-France. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- 1 2 Léa Le Breton (15 May 2024). "Pour son nouveau film, le rappeur caennais Orelsan recherche des figurants". Ouest-France. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Estelle Aubin (3 October 2024). ""Je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ça": les fans d'Orelsan surpris par son nouveau film "Yoroï"". BFM TV. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- 1 2 Lucas Hobe (12 November 2024). "ORELSAN. Japon, paternité, casting : indiscrétions sur "Yoroï" le prochain film d'Aurélien Cotentin". France 3 Normandie. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- 1 2 Emmanuel Bataille (13 November 2024). "Sony Pictures programme « Yoroï », avec Orelsan". Écran total. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Magali Rangin (19 September 2024). "Orelsan annonce avoir fini le tournage de son film". BFM TV. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Maxence Gorregues (3 October 2025). "Orelsan dévoile trois nouvelles chansons dans Yoroï : le signe d'un nouvel album ?". actu.fr. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "Orelsan est l'invité exceptionnel d'ICI Normandie ce jeudi 2 octobre". ici. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Yves Jaeglé (3 October 2025). "« Il est comme nous, très touchant » : à Caen, les fans d'Orelsan conquis par son nouveau film « Yoroï »". Le Parisien. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Jules Peyron (3 September 2025). "« C'est abusé ! » À Caen, l'avant-première du nouveau film d'Orelsan complète en quelques minutes". Ouest-France. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Paul Abran (6 October 2025). "« Un cachet de luxe » : à Paris, le Grand Rex dévoile son hall d'accueil « sublimé »". Le Parisien. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "Orelsan présente son film "Yoroï" en avant-première au Grand Rex". Groupe Sudmedia. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Magali Rangin (19 June 2025). "Orelsan dévoile la première bande-annonce de son film "Yoroï"". BFM TV. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "Yoroï". JP's box-office. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "Critiques presse pour le film Yoroï". AlloCiné. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ Catherine Balle (28 October 2025). "Avec « Yoroï », Orelsan s'offre un film de monstres métaphorique très divertissant". Le Parisien. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ ""Yoroï" : l'autocritique d'Orelsan vire à l'ego trip". www.telerama.fr (in French). 28 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ ""Yoroï" avec Orelsan, un conte fantastique et une fable potache au pays du Soleil-Levant, à réserver aux fans". Franceinfo (in French). 25 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.