Alphonse Tram (Gérard Depardieu - Cyrano de Bergerac) discovers his casual subway acquaintance (Michel Serrault - Nelly & Monsieur Arnaud) dead with Alphonse's penknife sticking out of his belly. When he tries to report the crime to his neighbour, a police inspector (Bernard Blier), the latter refuses to listen. Later, Alphonse's wife is killed, and her hapless murderer( Jean Carmet) confesses to Alphonse, but neither Alphonse nor the police inspector seem shocked. Instead, the crime acts as a catalyst for the trio to embark on a series of subversive adventures.

A stylish, nocturnal blend of Bunuellian satire and crime thriller, Buffet Froid brilliantly skewers the alienating and dehimanizing effects of urban life, and passes comment on a supposedly civilised society. Blier's third collaboration with Depardieu, whose personally the director cites as the film's inspiration, the ensemble acting is terrific.