How far will you go to chase your dreams? Wild Foxes (2025) asks us exactly that and so much more. There’s plenty to unpack in this Belgian sports drama. Written and directed by the wonderfully brilliant, Valéry Carnoy in his feature debut, everything falls into place just perfectly. With a sports drama, its genre expectations are filled with exploring the grit, determination, and frustration that comes with living the life of a competitive athlete. But Wild Foxes (La Danse des renards) is very much aware of its sub-genre and completely subverts expectations. The script is clearly written in such a clever way. It’s a coming-of-age drama with the foxes in the story ironically symbolising Camille’s friendship journey with Matteo.
Friendships Put to the Test
Instead, the focus is on Camille. Played by the brilliantly talented, Samuel Kircher whose emotional vulnerability is truly put to the test. Camille attends a sports boarding school and suffers an injury from an accident. But luckily he’s saved by his best friend, Matteo (Faycal Anaflous). Yet everything soon changes for Camille. Friendships are tested, ambition fades, and sadness prevails. But Camille learns he needed this stage to leverage into something more. Particularly in order to prove to himself that he’s not just another boxer but a champion.
The lens is more on the psychological impact behind his fall. There’s an incredible character transformation which shows a well-planned character arc. But the fall is rather a blessing in disguise. It brings to light the people Camille can and cannot trust in his life. Before the impact, the tone was more energetic and uplifting. Then at the midpoint it shifts to a more contemplative feeling where Camille becomes reflective on his rather unhappy current position.
Physical Sport But Emotional Investment
It almost feels as if he gives up and falls out of love with boxing because the toxic environment surrounding him constantly forces Camille to question his commitment. There’s the idea that you shouldn’t let other people fade your ambition. As his life becomes filled with hate from those he thought were friends, Camille faces up to the fact that he’s alone in this world. Even despite the support from his strong-willed girlfriend, Yas (Anna Heckel).
Even though sports dramas focus on the demanding physical aspects behind the sport, Wild Foxes focuses on the mentality and all the emotional highs and lows. Arguably the story targets more of a Gen Z audience with its young cast and its focus on youthful ambition. Its pace is excellent and makes you invested in Camille’s story until the very end. Everything is tested here from friendship to manhood, and mental health. Camille deals with different types of relationship issues. From falling out with his best friend and friend group to troubles with teachers and his girlfriend. Throughout his journey, Camille learns that being a team player does not always work. Instead being an individual with his own goals and sacrifices is where he needs to be.
Resilience & Determination
There’s a real sense that we are watching something real here. The cast does so well in each of their roles that they make it feel like a documentary. Camille’s story really does pull at heart strings and when he feels down it all seems like it’s the end for his journey. But his resilience and determination to return feels like our fight too. And we’re fully invested in wanting to see him succeed. The forest surrounding the school also adds to his emotional vulnerability providing a calm serenity to his intense training.
It’s interesting how Wild Foxes masters the shifts in tone. It moves rather flowingly from it’s energetic start to its melancholic midpoint, and it’s hopeful ending. It takes you on an emotional journey through Camille’s headspace. He’s got the talent, but his emotional endurance is the real test here. Wild Foxes is one of my favourite films from this year.
Wild Foxes premiered at the 2025 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and is released in UK and Irish cinemas by Conic Films on 1st May 2026.
You can read more reviews like the unique documentary, D Is for Distance (2025) here.
Rating: 4 ½ stars