The Kid with a Bike 2012

Cyril, a 12-year-old boy living in a children’s home in Liège, becomes increasingly distraught as he attempts to reach out to his father, who had promised to return after a month but has vanished without a trace. With desperation driving him, he orchestrates a violent escape from the home, making his way to his father’s building, only to be informed by a neighbor that the apartment is empty. Just as the caretakers find him, he clings to a passing woman named Samantha, who graciously assures them she doesn’t mind helping him. However, upon being taken to the empty apartment, the reality hits hard: his father has abandoned him.

The next day, in a show of kindness, Samantha returns to bring Cyril his bike. When Cyril expresses a desire to spend his weekends with her, she agrees, and with her partner Gilles, they strive to create a sense of home and happiness for him. Yet, the shadow of his father’s rejection continues to loom large over him; the pain intensifies when he learns that his father sold the very bike he cherished. In a moment of vulnerability, he confides in Samantha, sharing his longing for his father. Taking matters into her own hands, she tracks down Cyril’s father without official consent and brings Cyril to see him. However, the meeting is disheartening as Cyril’s father is uninterested in resuming their relationship, stating he has moved on with his life since his grandmother’s passing and brushes off his responsibilities towards Cyril, leaving him heartbroken.

Feeling lost, Cyril becomes entangled with Wesker, a local gang leader, despite Samantha and Gilles urging him to stay away from the dangerous path Wesker represents. Cyril’s relationship with them suffers as he increasingly stays out late, ultimately driving Gilles away due to his inability to understand the gravity of the situation. As tensions rise, Samantha grows suspicious of his intentions when he declines a family outing, fearing he is secretly meeting with Wesker. When she intervenes, Cyril lashes out in anger, declaring he no longer wants her in his life. In a tragic moment of confusion and rage, he stabs her with scissors before fleeing to Wesker, who coerces him into committing a robbery.

The aftermath of the robbery sees Cyril entangled in a web of deceit, compelled by Wesker to confront the newsstand owner. When he seeks to return the stolen money to his father, he is met with cold indifference, leaving him feeling more lost than ever. Realizing the gravity of his actions, Cyril reluctantly seeks forgiveness from Samantha, but the tumultuous events take a toll. Ultimately, as Cyril finds himself on the run from the consequences of his choices, he faces a near-death experience when the owner’s son pursues him in a moment of blind rage. Climbing a tree in a desperate attempt to escape, he falls after being struck by a rock. When he regains consciousness, he declines medical attention, choosing instead to ride away on his beloved bike, leaving behind a swirl of chaos.