A Private Life

For me, there comes a point in an actor’s career where I don’t need to know anything about a movie other than the fact that they’re starring in it. That kind of trust only comes from years of good choices and consistently strong work. Jodie Foster is firmly on that list for me. She’s been in so many films I love that I’m pretty much on board with whatever she decides to do next. So when I heard she was starring in a French-language film, Rebecca Zlotowski’s A Private Life, my ticket was basically already bought. And honestly, it just reaffirmed a simple rule: never doubt Jodie Foster.

Foster plays Lilian Steiner, a highly respected psychiatrist whose career appears to be in a good place, even if some might question how emotionally invested she is in her patients. Lilian is still dealing with the recent loss of a patient who abandoned traditional therapy for a hypnotist, and things only get worse when another patient, Paula (Virginie Efira), dies by suicide—leaving behind more questions than answers. Paula’s daughter, Valérie (Luàna Bajrami), delivers the news, and when Lilian attends the viewing, she’s met with open hostility from Paula’s husband, Simon (Mathieu Amalric). The confrontation is enough to send Lilian out the door quickly.

But something doesn’t sit right. When Valérie later returns with a note Paula left behind before her death, Lilian begins to suspect there may be more going on here than it first appeared. With the help of her ex-husband Gabriel (Daniel Auteuil), Lilian starts connecting the dots, slowly uncovering what really happened to Paula. The two slip into full-on detective mode, and the answers they uncover may end up forcing Lilian to confront parts of her own past she’s been avoiding.

Written by Anne Berest, Gaëlle Macé, and Zlotowski, A Private Life isn’t really a traditional whodunit. It’s less about whodid something and more about what actually happened—and what role Lilian herself may have played in it. The script has its share of twists and turns, but anyone expecting big, shocking reveals might be a little disappointed. The film gives you very little up front, choosing instead to unravel the mystery slowly, becoming clear just long enough before it clouds over again. That approach works here, because the real mystery isn’t the crime itself, but Lilian’s connection to it. The investigative elements only add to what is ultimately a very effective psychological thriller, making A Private Life a quietly engaging watch.

What really makes the film work is its blend of psychological intrigue and subtle, yet playful shifts in genre. Thanks to some strong emotional undercurrents, it all comes together nicely. Foster is the anchor here. While the story pulls you in, it’s her performance that keeps you hooked. Her French is impressively precise, and she brings that familiar, steel-eyed intensity she does so well. But it’s not all serious—Foster also gets to show off her comedic timing, with a few light, genuinely funny moments sprinkled throughout.

All in all, A Private Life is a great way to spend an afternoon at the theater. The film moves effortlessly, never overstaying its welcome. Foster is the clear standout, but everything else stays on an even keel, delivering a smart, pleasant, and satisfying experience.