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Alex Descas

Alex Descas

Actor · Born January 1, 1958 (68) · France

Alex Descas (born January 1, 1958) is a French actor known for his roles in films by Claire Denis and Jim Jarmusch. In France, he is also known for his role as Schneider in the French TV series Un Flic. He is a frequent collaborator of Claire Denis, appearing in more than half of her theatrical feature-length films, including No Fear, No Die, Nénette et Boni, I Can't Sleep, Trouble Every Day, The Intruder, 35 Shots of Rum and Bastards, as well as Ten Minutes Older: The Cello. He is of Antillean (Guadeloupean) descent. Description above from the Wikipedia article Alex Descas, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 1, 1958 (68)
From
France
Works as
Actor
Titles
26 on MovieCove · 84 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 198% in 30 days

What are Alex Descas' films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Power.

Genres

Drama15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
32%
Power
18%
Bonds
15%
Society
15%
Survival
8%
Morality
7%
Ideas
6%
Isolation6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 10 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 14 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 5

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 5 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 12

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 9 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 9
Hero
2 of 9
Ally
2 of 9
Shadow
1 of 9
Threshold guardian
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
13
Melancholic
16
Tense
8
Warm
6
Cold
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Bittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous13

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Alex Descas' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 12 of their 26 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Alex Descas' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

84 credits, 26 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • You+Me - Against the World(2026)

    as Léonard Abrams

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Failing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as L'Abbé Gomis

  • Adam's Sake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Naïm

  • Kenya - Gardiennes des éléphants (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator (Voice)

  • Which Way Africa? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator

  • Brûlé neige (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Henri

  • Irma Vep(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · as Gregory Desormeaux

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Frantz Fanon, trajectoire d'un révolté (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as (Voix Off)

  • Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Exterminate All the Brutes(2021)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Sing Me Back Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Juan

  • Maya(2018)

    as Frédéric

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Raising Colors(2018)

    as Albertini

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Iskander (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as Oscar

  • Let the Sunshine In(2017)

    as End Man

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Gone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Claude Vannier

  • Metropole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Chocolat(2016)

    as Victor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Nina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Mathias Savignon

  • Rouge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Scottie, dans «Madeleine d'entre les morts»

  • Portrait of the Artist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Scottie

  • Madeleine d'entre les Morts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as The man

  • Voilà l'enchaînement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lui

  • Murder in Pacot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as L'homme

  • Un enfant en danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as André

  • Bastards(2013)

    as Dr. Béthanie

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Aimé Césaire, le prix de la liberté (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Aimé Césaire

  • Rapt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Maître Walser

  • Persecution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Thomas

  • The Limits of Control(2009)

    as Creole

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • 35 Shots of Rum(2008)

    as Lionel

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Négropolitain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Alain

  • We Don't Choose Our Parents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Le juge Mauvoisin

  • Déjà vu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Kiff

  • Boarding Gate(2007)

    as Andrew

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Un flic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · as Schneider

  • Tag! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Nkruma

  • Elf, Kings of Oil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Pascal Lissouba

  • The Elf Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Pascal Lissouba

  • L'île des esclaves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • A Perfect Couple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Patrick

  • The Intruder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Le prêtre

  • In Your Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Mojo

  • The United States of Albert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Nolton Barnett

  • Nèg maron(2005)

    as Siwo

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Man Who Came From Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Pierre Adélaïde

  • Nord-plage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Coffee and Cigarettes(2003)

    as Alex (segment "No Problem")

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • La nuit sera longue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as François

  • Tiresia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Marignac

  • The Dope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Shaft

  • Ten Minutes Older: The Cello(2002)

    as (segment "Vers Nancy")

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Vers Nancy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • La merveilleuse odyssée de l'idiot Toboggan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as (Segment 'Never Twice')

  • Trouble Every Day(2001)

    as Dr. Léo

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Lumumba(2000)

    as Joseph Mobutu

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Harem Suare(1999)

    as Nadir

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Late August, Early September(1998)

    as Jérémie

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Le serpent a mangé la grenouille (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Yves Le Guen

  • The House(1997)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Nenette and Boni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Gynecologist

  • My Family's Honour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Malcolm

  • Africa Dreaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Michael

  • So Be It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Irma Vep(1996)

    as Desormeaux

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Clubbed to Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Mambo

  • Un si joli bouquet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Barthélémy

  • Le Banquet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • The Great White of Lambarene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Koumba

  • The Heart's Cry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Ibrahim Sow

  • Duo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Man

  • Never Twice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Never Twice

  • The Masturbators (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Narrator

  • I Can't Sleep(1994)

    as Théo

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Les Cordier, juge et flic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sayyid

  • The Absence(1992)

    as Soldier

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Lest We Forget (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Dalton Prejean (segment "Pour Dalton Prejean, USA")

  • No Fear, No Die(1990)

    as Jocelyn

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Ya bon les blancs(1988)

    as Le travailleur chez Renault

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Taxi Boy(1986)

    as Pascal

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Urgence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • L'arbalète(1984)

    as Le chef des 'Blackies'

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • An Odd Enchantment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The Arrival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 84 titles, 82 of them dated from 1984 to 2026; peak year 2008.

Biggest box office

Chocolat (2016)

$15M worldwide

Highest rated

35 Shots of Rum (2008)

Midcredits 85th

Most popular right now

You+Me - Against the World (2026)

Film career

19842026

Peak 2008 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting84 of 84: 84 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score49th

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s29 · acting2010s17 · acting2020s10 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 4% of 25 roles
90000510

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Alex Descas' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 26 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 26 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

The House (1997)

67th percentile spread · 16% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

35 Shots of Rum (2008)

Midcredits 85th · 69% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Alex Descas' work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity8 titles52–76 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Alex Descas work with?

People who share at least 2 of Alex Descas' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Claire Denis shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles