Discuss how the film traps the audience within Paul's perspective, making it difficult to distinguish between objective reality and his hallucinations. 2. The Gendered Gaze and the "Possessed" Woman L'Enfer (1994) Review - Sarah G. Vincent Views
: The film explores the male gaze and the "othering" of the female protagonist. Nelly is often framed as an object of desire, which Paul views as a threat to his ownership and sanity. 4. Key Performances
The film's origins are deeply tied to French cinema history:
Critics often view L'Enfer as one of Chabrol’s darkest studies of the French bourgeoisie.
Paul’s mind begins to poison itself. He starts tracking Nelly’s movements, timing her arrival and departure from the post office. He becomes convinced that she is having an affair. Despite a total lack of evidence, his suspicion hardens into certainty.