Lupin Part 2: Why Assane Draws So Much Attention To Himself

Warning: SPOILERS for Lupin part 2.

Why does Assane Diop draw so much attention to himself in the Lupin part 2 finale? In “Chapter 10,” the gentleman thief exposes the dirty deeds of his primary nemesis, Hubert Pellegrini, but then brazenly offers tips to the police while sporting a ridiculous disguise, most notably a massive mustache that’s anything but subtle. Assane’s questionable power plays in Lupin part 2 could be the result of his extreme confidence, but the subtext implies that he weaponizes his life-long experiences with Parisian racism.

As a whole, Lupin explores class and privilege in modern-day France. The inciting incident takes place when businessman Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre) falsely accuses a Senegalese immigrant, Babakar Diop (Fargass Assandé), of stealing a diamond, and then orchestrates his murder while enlisting French police officer Gabriel Dumont (Johann Dionnet, Vincent Garanger) for a convenient cover-up. Assane (Omari Sy) vows to avenge his father’s death, especially when considering that Hubert had previously chastised his daughter Juliette (Léa Bonneau, Clotilde Hesme) for pursuing a friendship (and potential romance) with the son of a Senegalese immigrant. When Assane ultimately takes on the persona of Maurice Leblanc’s book character Arsène Lupin, he decides not only to expose injustice and racism but also to embarrass smug people within Parisian society who dismiss minorities with cocksure arrogance.

Related: Lupin Part 2 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song Explained

Assane trolls authorities in the Lupin part 2 finale because he’s been forced to demand attention. He fully understands that the media, police, and society at large have great interest in his “gentleman thief” persona, but ironically have little interest in a Black man who doesn’t perfectly match the official suspect description. After exposing Hubert Pellegrini at his own fundraiser, Assane disguises himself by wearing dreadlocks and a thick mustache while posing as a security guard. The master thief speaks directly to the police within the event venue in Lupin part 2, a surprising move when considering that he’s a relatively large man who could easily be identified by at least one of the cops. Assane’s appearance does indeed raise questions about the quality of his disguises, but the final escape underlines the recurring theme that France doesn’t pay close attention to immigrant identities.

Lupin part 2 thematically foreshadows Assane’s dramatic escape in each of the five episodes. During a flashback sequence in “Chapter 6,” a music store owner refuses to sell a violin to Young Claire (Ludmilla Makowski) because she’s friends with Assane. Moments later, in the present, a store owner refuses to help Assane as he looks for his kidnapped son. In both situations, the gentleman thief must take matters into his own hands, rather than being left behind because of his ethnicity. Lupin part 2’s “Chapter 8” further reinforces Assane’s perspective and motivations, evidenced by flashback scenes in which Hubert Pellegrini makes disparaging statements about the Diops. By the season finale, Pellegrini even taunts Assane by implying that no one will ever believe his claims about police corruption – a moment that directly precedes the gentleman thief’s “last show” and public escape. As detailed by The New York Times, race has long been a taboo subject in France, and so Assane hopes for a “racial awakening.”

In Lupin, Assane’s pride could ultimately be his downfall. He’s smart enough to pull of elaborate heists, but the gentleman thief often goes out of his way to make a point, whether it’s stealing a painting to impress Juliette or subtly taunting a group of police officers that could easily detain him. Lupin part 2 ends with Sy’s character happily reuniting with Claire and Raoul, only to once again run away from his family in order to keep his freedom. For a man like Assane, the act of conning someone doesn’t fulfill his needs. Like an addict, the thief needs more. Assane must put on a grandiose show, one with ridiculous costumes, that will simultaneously entertain and embarrass those who never paid attention before.

More: Lupin Part 2 Makes Assane’s Biggest Plot-Hole Even Worse

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Q.V. Hough
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Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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