The Return of Monsieur Spade: A Neo-Noir Masterpiece

The Resurgence of a Classic Character

Dashiell Hammett's iconic private detective is back in Monsieur Spade. The AMC show follows Sam Spade as he retires to the South of France in the '60s after a job to return the daughter of a mysterious man fails, electing for a quiet life. When the group of nuns at the school she lives in are murdered, Spade begins investigating the matter, learning of dark secrets within the quiet little town.

Clive Owen as Sam Spade leaning against car in Monsieur Spade

Golden Globe winner Clive Owen leads the ensemble Monsieur Spade cast alongside Cara Bossom, Denis M\u00e9nochet, Louise Bourgoin, Chiara Mastroianni, Stanley Weber, Matthew Bear, Johnathan Zacca\u00ef, and Rebecca Root. Created and co-written by The Queen's Gambit's Scott Frank and City on a Hill's Tom Fontana, and directed by the former, the show is an engrossing throwback to the classics of the neo-noir genre full of magnetic performances, namely that of Owen.

Cara Bossom and Clive Owen in Monsieur Spade

In anticipation of the show's premiere, Screen Rant interviewed star Clive Owen to discuss Monsieur Spade, his love of Humphrey Bogart's Spade performance in The Maltese Falcon, and the challenges of capturing '40s-era dialogue.

Clive Owen as Sam Spade in Monsieur Spade

The Art of Bringing Sam Spade to Life

Clive Owen's portrayal of Sam Spade required a deep dive into the iconic character's essence. In an interview, Owen confessed his admiration for Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Spade, citing it as a major influence on his performance. He emphasized the need to capture the fast-paced, yet effortless dialogue delivery characteristic of the '40s era.

Clive Owen as Sam Spade looking intently in Monsieur Spade

Moreover, Owen discussed the challenges of learning French for the role, revealing that he had to put in a significant amount of effort to grasp the language phonetically, all while maintaining the authentic '40s vibe.

Clive Owen as Sam Spade at crime scene in Monsieur Spade

The Intrigue of Monsieur Spade

Monsieur Spade centers around the infamous protagonist of American writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 classic novel The Maltese Falcon. The year is 1963, and the legendary Detective Sam Spade (Owen) is enjoying his retirement in the South of France. By contrast to his days as a private eye in San Francisco, Spade’s life in Bozouls is peaceful and quiet. But the rumored return of his old adversary will change everything. Six beloved nuns have been brutally murdered at the local convent, unveiling dark secrets and new leads. Spade learns that the murders are somehow connected to a mysterious child who is believed to possess great powers.

Clive Owen as Sam Spade leaning against car in Monsieur Spade

Shot on location in France, Monsieur Spade features a prominent ensemble cast including up-and-comer Cara Bossom as Teresa, Denis M\u00e9nochet as Chief of Police Patrice Michaud, Louise Bourgoin as Marguerite Devereaux, Chiara Mastroianni as Gabrielle, Stanley Weber as Jean-Pierre Devereaux, Matthew Beard as George Fitzsimmons, Jonathan Zacca\u00ef as Philippe Saint-Andre, and Rebecca Root as Cynthia Fitzsimmons. Guest stars include Emmy\u00ae, Golden Globe\u00ae, and SAG\u00ae Award-winner Alfre Woodard portraying Virginia Dell and Dean Winters as Father Matthew.

Clive Owen and Denis Ménochet in Monsieur Spade