Goodbye Cruel World (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Goodbye Cruel World follows fourteen-year-old Otto after a failed suicide attempt leaves him too ashamed to return home. Wandering through the city at night, he is recognized by Léna, a girl from his high school. Félix de Givry directs this French-language drama romance from Belgium and France.

Goodbye Cruel World is a 2026 drama romance directed by Félix de Givry. The French-language film centers on Otto, a fourteen-year-old whose attempt to end his life fails, leaving him unwilling to face his family and classmates.

As Otto moves through the city alone, his disappearance is interrupted when Léna, a girl from his high school, recognizes him. Their encounter forms the starting point for a story about two teenagers meeting under difficult circumstances.

Goodbye Cruel World movie details

Story without spoilers

Otto begins the story by writing a suicide letter to his family and classmates. When his attempt fails, shame keeps him from returning home, so he hides and spends the night moving through the city streets alone.

The situation changes when Léna Mallet recognizes him. From that point, Goodbye Cruel World follows the connection between Otto and Léna as the night unfolds. The supplied synopsis establishes the film’s emotional premise without revealing how their encounter develops or where it leads.

What to expect

The film is identified as both a drama and a romance, with a serious coming-of-age premise focused on a young teenager in emotional crisis. Its story takes place over the course of a night, moving from Otto’s isolation toward his unexpected encounter with Léna.

Viewers can expect a character-centered film in French with a compact 93-minute runtime. The premise deals directly with suicide and shame, so the subject matter is notably heavy despite the film’s romantic classification.

Cast and creative team

Milo Machado-Graner plays Otto Vidal, while Jane Beever portrays Léna Mallet. The cast also includes Emmanuelle Destremau as Sophie Vidal, Maïa Sandoz as Anne Mallet, Erwan Kepoa Falé as Henrik, Catherine Artigala as the Teacher SVT, Françoise Lebrun as the narrator in voice, and Noé Vergauwen as Noé.

Félix de Givry directs Goodbye Cruel World and co-writes it with Marie-Stéphane Imbert.

• Milo Machado-Graner as Otto Vidal
• Jane Beever as Léna Mallet
• Emmanuelle Destremau as Sophie Vidal
• Maïa Sandoz as Anne Mallet
• Erwan Kepoa Falé as Henrik
• Catherine Artigala as Teacher SVT
• Françoise Lebrun as Narrator (voice)
• Noé Vergauwen as Noé

Release and production context

Goodbye Cruel World is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of September 9, 2026. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes and is spoken in French. The film is associated with Belgium and France, with production credited to Iliade et Films, Remembers, and uMedia.

The title is also listed by its original French title, Adieu Monde Cruel.

Production companies: Iliade et Films, Remembers, uMedia

Goodbye Cruel World official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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Goodbye Cruel World presents a contained, emotionally serious premise built around Otto’s failed attempt, his retreat into the city, and the recognition that brings Léna into his night. With Félix de Givry directing and a French-language cast led by Milo Machado-Graner and Jane Beever, the film is positioned as a concise drama romance about an unexpected teenage encounter.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb