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Netflix has released the official trailer for The Hunchback, Soul of Paris, an upcoming French period drama that offers a chilling and darker interpretation of Victor Hugo’s legendary Gothic novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
Set to premiere on November 27, 2026, the film is directed by Jean-François Richet and promises a macabre reimagining of the classic story, moving away from the romanticized portrayals audiences may remember from previous adaptations, particularly Disney’s 1996 animated musical.
Set in 1830s Paris, the film unfolds against a backdrop of devastating cholera outbreaks and rising revolutionary tensions. The story follows Quasimodo, a hunchbacked stonemason who finds himself hunted by the authorities as he risks his life to rescue Esmeralda, a dancer with whom he has fallen deeply in love.
However, the story takes an unsettling turn when Quasimodo is revealed to be immune to cholera. His unusual immunity attracts the attention of a scientist who sees him as an opportunity for disturbing medical experiments.
The newly released trailer introduces Vincent Cassel as Quasimodo, offering viewers a glimpse into the film’s grim atmosphere, haunting imagery, and intense dramatic sequences. The preview suggests a visually striking adaptation that embraces the horror, tragedy, and darker themes found in Hugo’s original novel.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair France, director Jean-François Richet discussed the historical inspiration behind his interpretation of the iconic character.
“According to an English archivist, Adrian Glew, the character is based on a stonemason the novelist supposedly met. So we’re starting from a plausible premise rather than a true story,” Richet explained.
The filmmaker also revealed that casting Vincent Cassel came together remarkably quickly. Richet recalled contacting the actor on a Friday evening and asking him to make a decision by the following Monday.
“I had to find an actor very quickly, almost over the weekend. So I called [Cassel] on Friday evening, specifying that I needed an answer by the following Monday. He read the script and found it promising,” the director shared.
Joining Cassel in the cast are Karim Leklou, Daphné Patakia, and Benjamin Voisin.
With its bleak historical setting, unsettling narrative, and renewed focus on the disturbing elements of Hugo’s original work, The Hunchback, Soul of Paris is shaping up to be a striking departure from previous adaptations.
The film arrives exclusively on Netflix on November 27, 2026.
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