The Translators is a fresh spin on the topic of the piracy of art, using literature to demonstrate its effect. At the beginning of the film, the third volume of best-seller ‘Dedalus’ has been completed by French author Oscar Brach, and it is time for it to be translated. However, there is paranoia in the air after an unofficial English translation of the second volume was leaked and downloaded by millions.

Due to this, translators of the latest volume, from various countries, have been thrown into a bunker and denied any contact with the outside world. They are essentially held as hostages while they translate the third book. Watching over them is Eric Angstrom (Lambert Wilson), publisher of the first two books.

Despite the security measures taken, a hacker attempts to extort Angstrom by threatening to leak another unofficial translation before any official version is completed. Furious, Angstrom attempts to solve a mystery that seems logically impossible.

Oddly, Régis Roinsard’s sophomore effort is a step down from his debut, primarily due to how the third act is written and presented. The numerous plot-holes become even more glaring when observing how the finale is presented. There are is also a distinct lack of subtlety, so far too many of the twists and surprises are spelled out in detail.

Although the reveal is sloppily handled, The Translators still manages to be a fun ‘whodunnit’. It is an interesting story that entertains despite it flaws.