Elles

Year: 2012

Runtime: 99 min

Language: French

Director: Malgorzata Szumowska

Drama

A journalist named Anne, portrayed by Juliette Binoche, investigates the lives of student prostitutes in Paris, leading her on an unsettling journey into the realm of female desire. Through her reporting, Anne uncovers their personal stories and confronts her own deeply held inhibitions. The experience challenges her understanding of independence and forces her to examine the complexities of her own sexuality.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Elles yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Elles (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Elles (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:30

Main Characters – Elles (2012)

Meet the key characters of Elles (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:30

Major Themes – Elles (2012)

Explore the central themes of Elles (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:30

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies like Elles: Investigative Journeys into Personal Taboos

Where a professional inquiry forces a personal crisis of self.If you liked Elles, explore more movies where a journalistic or academic investigation uncovers unsettling truths that hit close to home. These similar dramas feature protagonists whose professional curiosity leads to a deep, personal introspection, challenging their own beliefs and lifestyle in the process.

introspectiveunsettlingcandidmelancholicpsychologicalthought-provokingclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically feature a protagonist with a neutral, investigative role whose immersion into a taboo or marginalized subject begins to erode their own sense of stability. The narrative structure often intercuts between the investigation and the protagonist's personal life, drawing stark parallels that lead to a crisis of identity and values, often without a clear resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the psychological toll of investigation, where the search for external truth forces an internal reckoning. They share a reflective, often melancholic mood, a slow, deliberate pacing that allows for introspection, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the confrontation with societal and personal hypocrisy.

Claustrophobic Dramas of Female Interiority like Elles

Intimate, slow-burning explorations of women's complex psychological states.Find movies similar to Elles that offer a slow, intimate look into the complex psychological world of women. These films share a claustrophobic, reflective vibe, exploring themes of desire, dissatisfaction, and personal liberation with a heavy emotional weight and ambiguous resolutions.

claustrophobicintrospectiveunsettlingmelancholiccandidpsychological tensionreflectiveimmersive

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a female protagonist trapped by social expectations or her own psyche. The story unfolds slowly, prioritizing mood and internal conflict over external plot. The journey is one of self-confrontation, where the character's understanding of her own identity, sexuality, or freedom is challenged, leading to an emotionally charged but often ambiguous conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their immersive, introspective mood and their dedication to portraying the nuanced inner world of women. They share a slow pacing that allows the audience to sit with the character's discomfort, a dark or melancholic tone, and a high degree of emotional intimacy that makes the experience feel both candid and unsettling.

Unlock the Full Story of Elles

Don't stop at just watching — explore Elles in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Elles is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Elles Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Elles, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Elles Timeline

Track the full timeline of Elles with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Elles Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Elles that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Elles

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Elles: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Elles

Discover movies like Elles that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.