Based on the 2000 book of the same name by Emmanuel Carrère, it is inspired by the real-life story of Jean-Claude Romand. L'Adversaire's protagonist Jean-Marc Faure (Auteuil) pursues an imaginary career as a doctor of medicine in a plot more closely based on Romand's life and Carrère's book than was Laurent Cantet's 2001 film L'Emploi du Temps. The film was nominated for a Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Daniel AuteuilJean-Marc Faure | Jean-Marc Faure |
 Géraldine PailhasChristine Faure | Christine Faure |
 François CluzetLuc | Luc |
 François BerléandRémi | Rémi |
 Emmanuelle DevosMarianne | Marianne |
| AAlice FauvetAlice | Alice |
 Martin JobertVincent | Vincent |
| MMichel CassagneLe père de Jean-Marc | Le père de Jean-Marc |
 Joséphine DerenneLa mère de Jean-Marc | La mère de Jean-Marc |
 Anne LoiretCécile | Cécile |
 Olivier CruveillerJean-Jacques | Jean-Jacques |
 Nadine AlariLa mère de Christine | La mère de Christine |
 Nicolas AbrahamXavier | Xavier |
 Bernard FressonLe père de Christine | Le père de Christine |
 Humbert BalsanDr. Michel Philippot | Dr. Michel Philippot |
 Jean-Claude LeguayLe magistrat à la déposition | Le magistrat à la déposition |
| MMuriel AmatNot listed | Not listed |