Lukas Dhont’s third feature, “Coward,” is set on the Western Front during World War I and follows two Belgian soldiers who seek emotional and romantic refuge amid battlefield brutality. Across reviews, the film is described as a gay romance that expands Dhont’s recurring interest in LGBTQ identity into a historical setting. The story centers on Francis, a tailor in civilian life who is exempt from frontline combat and leads a permission-based theatrical troupe meant to entertain troops. The troupe includes performances that can involve drag, and the permission to stage shows provides the men behind the lines with a temporary break from war.
The romance develops between Francis and Pierre, a shy soldier drawn to the troupe and to Francis. One review notes that Pierre goes to extreme lengths to join the group by deliberately injuring himself, underlining both his longing and the pressure to live privately. Reviewers also characterize the film’s approach as meticulously crafted and emotionally focused, with attention to performance and tone. Multiple outlets describe strong acting by newcomers Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne, while characterizing the film as earnest and carefully constructed rather than purely escapist.
