La Piscine

La Piscine

Year: 1970

Runtime: 122 min

Director: Jacques Deray

DramaRomanceCrime

A scorching summer romance develops on the French Riviera, quickly spiraling into obsession and tragedy. Alain Delon and Romy Schneider star in this 1969 psychological thriller, portraying characters whose desires and vulnerabilities lead to a destructive entanglement. The idyllic setting contrasts sharply with the escalating tensions and jealousies that ultimately lead to a devastating outcome, exploring the dark side of passion and the fragility of relationships.

La Piscine (1970) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at La Piscine (1970) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

The sun‑drenched villas of the French Riviera provide a luminous backdrop for a summer that promises indulgence and escape. The endless blue of the sea meets the warm stone of a secluded house, creating a setting where leisure glitters as brightly as the heat. Yet beneath the sparkling surface, the quiet rhythm of the coast conceals a tension that grows with each languid day, hinting that even paradise can harbor unease.

Jean‑Paul, a writer seeking respite, arrives with his girlfriend of a little over two years, Marianne. Their bond, though affectionate, is already threaded with subtle insecurities, and the intimacy they share seems to oscillate between tenderness and a restless need for reassurance. As they settle into the villa’s relaxed atmosphere, the ease of their companionship is gently tested by the arrival of an unexpected guest.

Enter Harry, an old friend and former lover of Marianne, accompanied by his teenage daughter Penelope. Their sudden appearance upends the tranquil routine, introducing a mixture of nostalgia, unspoken histories, and fresh curiosity. Harry brings a charismatic, slightly reckless energy, while Penelope’s youthful independence adds another layer of complexity. The four find themselves navigating a delicate dance of desire, pride, and hidden grievances, their interactions brightened by the sun yet shadowed by an undercurrent of competition and longing. In this intoxicating blend of romance and rivalry, the Riviera’s brilliance serves as both a lure and a mirror to the fragile emotions that swirl within the villa’s walls.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:10

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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.

Sultry psychological thrillers in idyllic settings like La Piscine

Stories where a glamorous, idyllic setting becomes a prison of psychological tension.If you liked the sultry tension and psychological unraveling of La Piscine, explore more movies where a beautiful, confined location becomes a pressure cooker for jealousy and obsession. These films share a similar feel of slow-burn dread, glamorous but volatile characters, and a sharp contrast between a picturesque surface and a dark underbelly.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often begins with a seemingly perfect scenario—a holiday, a reunion—that is disrupted by the arrival of an outsider or the resurfacing of old wounds. The story unfolds through charged dialogue and lingering glances rather than action, building a palpable sense of dread. The conflict is primarily psychological, leading to a violent climax or a morally complex act that leaves the characters forever changed.

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This thread groups movies that masterfully use a confined, luxurious setting to generate intense psychological tension. They share a focus on the dark side of human relationships, a sultry and anxious mood, and a pacing that deliberately builds atmosphere before a devastating release.

Movies about moral ambiguity and cover-ups like La Piscine

Stories that explore the heavy psychological fallout of a crime and its cover-up.For viewers who appreciated the moral complexities and the silent aftermath of the crime in La Piscine, this thread gathers movies about the heavy consequences of a violent act. These stories explore the psychological toll of guilt, the strain of maintaining a secret, and relationships fractured under pressure.

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Narrative Summary

The journey typically involves a 'before and after' structure. A stable (or seemingly stable) situation is shattered by a moment of passion or conflict that results in a death or serious crime. The remainder of the film follows the perpetrators as they attempt to normalize their lives while dealing with internal guilt, external suspicion, and the unspoken tension between them. The ending often leaves their future uncertain, emphasizing the permanent stain of their actions.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their focus on the ethical and emotional consequences of crime rather than its execution. They share a heavy emotional weight, a tense and often melancholic tone, and a narrative interest in how ordinary people navigate the unbearable weight of a shared secret.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in La Piscine

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Characters, Settings & Themes in La Piscine

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