Swimming Pool

A reserved British novelist, Sarah Morton, travels to the south of France to escape a creative block and find inspiration. Her publisher provides her with a secluded villa, but her peace is shattered by the arrival of his vivacious and uninhibited daughter, Julie. The two women engage in a complex and increasingly disturbing relationship, blurring the lines between reality and imagination as Sarah's novel begins to mirror their escalating interactions.

Swimming Pool was generally well-received by critics, who praised its atmospheric tension, psychological depth, and the performances of its lead actresses. While some found its ambiguity frustrating, many lauded its stylish direction and exploration of themes like desire, identity, and artistic creation.

• Praised for its stylish direction and atmospheric suspense.
• Commended for the compelling performances of Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier.
• Noted for its ambiguous narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's mood and intriguing premise, with many finding the performances captivating. Some viewers felt the plot became overly confusing or unsatisfying towards the end.

Nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

François Ozon initially conceived the film with a different ending, where Sarah would have killed Julie. However, he changed his mind, feeling that the more ambiguous and psychological ending would be more impactful and fitting for the film's themes.