The disturbed son of a scrap metal merchant, Josef Bousou has always gone his own way, causing trouble as he goes throughout the village, which has come to accept his behavior. But when a heat wave forces them all to try and save their crops and animals, the semblance of tranquility cracks. Suspected of theft and now considered an intruder, Josef is soon pinpointed as the source of all their troubles as violence escalates each day...

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It’s best not to judge Raphaël Jacoulot’s movie by its first few minutes: although it seems like a bland, uninspired TV movie, it slowly becomes a strong piece of social commentary that is unexpectedly brutal. The premise of Coup de chaud is initially very ordinary, turning into a modern tragedy, a reflection of a troubled time and society, overwhelmed by paranoia, violence and individualism. But although the film is largely successful, there is still weakness in its detail thanks to monotonous directing, general apathy and far too many badly drawn characters. Despite the magnetic presence of Grégory Gadebois and Carole Franck, Coup de chaud leaves the impression of a missed chance.