36 Quai des Orfèvres (2004)

In the underbelly of the Parisian criminal world, the police are frustrated by a gang committing a series of violent robberies, while two cops are seeking promotion, and the imminent departure of the Chief of Police sets the scene for them to compete for the vacant throne.

Excellent tough and very bleak policier exposes police corruption as just as terrifying as the criminal world.

Pour elle (2008)

With no legal means left to him, a high school teacher devises a daring plan to rescue his wrongfully imprisoned wife from jail.

Unusual, above-average thriller that solidly keeps its focus on the plot and its main characters.