A Private Life

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1:47

A Private Life

R

Jan 2026

1h 45m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

146 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

When renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner learns of the death of one of her patients she is deeply troubled. Convinced that it was murder, she decides to investigate....

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Critics Consensus

A Private Life mixes Hitchcockian suspense, glossy aesthetics, and a playful streak of camp into an entertaining if somewhat slight mystery that's held together by Jodie Foster's captivating presence.

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Bianca Farmakis

The Australian

Sep 9, 2026

2/5

At times, its overtly camp hypnosis sequences distract from the more endearing work of its veteran leads. At others, the disarming relationship between Foster and Auteuil elevates its quieter, sweeter moments into something genuinely touching.

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Miriam Balanescu

Empire Magazine

Jul 1, 2026

3/5

This stylish, silly and strange whodunnit/family-drama mash-up, while shaky at times, is a fun filmic amuse-bouche, with Foster on top form.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jul 1, 2026

The screenplay doesn’t hold up to scrutiny: it’s a flimsy thing, barely propped up by unconvincing character behaviour and a tenuous foray into regression hypnosis.

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PJ Grisar

The Forward

Oct 6, 2026

Zlotowski masterfully sketches a French Jewish family and all its messy intersections in a society that privileges the principle of laïcité, the state religion of secularism.

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John Serba

Decider

Aug 1, 2026

The film is essentially a character study uncomfortably wedged into an idiosyncratic murder mystery, with Foster relishing opportunities to deliver the kind of French-tickler comic moments that sneak up on and surprise you.

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Chezelle Bingham

Radio Times

Jul 10, 2026

4/5

Unlike such other entries in the sub-genre, which often struggle to explore characters beyond their motives, A Private Life is also interested in examining the guilt and grief felt by its players.

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Lili

Mar 1, 2026

Great movie, but it seemed to end abruptly.

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Susan C

Feb 22, 2026

Jodie Foster is an American treasure and her acting was good in this film. But, the story line was a bit obtuse and implausible … the film kept my interest, though … and I was super impressed with Foster’s fluency in French.

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Helen A

Feb 10, 2026

a muddled improbable plot

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Charlie H

Feb 8, 2026

Fascinating idea but a very difficult one to put into film. Acting was superb as was the theme. Ending came out of nowhere.

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ssusan

Feb 7, 2026

Kept waiting for it to go somewhere. Jodie Foster was good. But script not so much.

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Meloney

Feb 7, 2026

I’m not sure I liked this movie… neurotic characters… messy interpersonal relationships… the conclusion was a little vague. It was great to see Jodie Foster, and her French was excellent. I hope we’ll see her in more films.

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Rebecca Zlotowski

Director

Jodie Foster

Lilian Steiner

Daniel Auteuil

Gabriel Haddad

Virginie Efira

Paula Cohen-Solal

Mathieu Amalric

Simon Cohen-Solal

Vincent Lacoste

Julien Haddad-Park

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A Private Life: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner learns of the death of one of her patients she is deeply troubled. Convinced that it was murder, she decides to investigate....

Director: Rebecca Zlotowski
Producer: Frédéric Jouve
Screenwriter: Rebecca Zlotowski, Anne Berest, Gaëlle Macé
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Les Films Velvet, France 3 Cinéma
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Brief Violence|Language|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: French
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 3, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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