Some Girls

A recent college acquaintance who travels to Quebec City for Christmas to see Gabriella. He tries to blend into the family’s unconventional world, but the surrounding eccentricities push him toward emotional edges. His interactions with Irenka and Simone test his romantic loyalties, while the bond with Granny reveals a gentler, more hopeful side. The film follows his struggle with heartbreak and his ultimate sense of loss after the visit ends.

Gabi invites Michael to Christmas, then reveals that she no longer loves him. She moves between warmth and indifference, keeping a complicated, shifting stance toward him and the family. Her actions drive the central romantic tension and leave Michael to navigate a fraught emotional landscape. She remains at once alluring and enigmatic throughout the visit.

The matriarch, afflicted with senile dementia, treats Michael as her long-dead husband and seeks him out with childlike longing. She escapes her care facility to the family estate in a moment of dramatic tension, forging a poignant bond with Michael. Her illness, memory lapses, and eventual death frame the story with themes of aging and mortality. A supernatural suggestion later in the film deepens the mystery of memory and destiny.

The handsome handyman connected with Irenka, Nick adds a layer of flirtation and contest within the family dynamic. He participates in the social games and romantic subplots around the sisters. His earnest attempts to support Granny contrast with the more carefree attitudes of the others, contributing to the film’s tension and humor.

Irenka is one of Gabriella’s energetic sisters, coquettish and magnetically flirtatious with Michael. She collaborates in the dynamic with Simone, creating a playful yet provocative atmosphere. Her actions contribute to Michael’s disorientation and to the overall sense that no one is emotionally safe within the family setting.

The other provocative sister who teases Michael, adding to the sexual and social complexity of the Christmas gathering. She participates in the family’s games while keeping him at arm’s length. Her presence emphasizes the film’s themes of desire, manipulation, and the blurred lines between affection and performance.

Gabriella’s mother, a quiet, deeply religious presence in the household. Her solemn demeanor contrasts with the house’s chaos and the holiday’s festive mood. The moment of condolence she receives from Michael marks a pivotal emotional misstep, exposing the fragility of relationships within the family.

Gabriella’s father, a man who spends much of his time in a towel, claiming he cannot write a Blaise Pascal treatise while dressed. His odd behavior and intellectual preoccupations contribute to the surreal, idiosyncratic atmosphere of the family. He embodies the film’s mix of humor and unconventional charm.

A Catholic priest and friend of the family who is present during the Christmas gathering. His presence underscores the family’s religious backdrop and adds to the social dynamics at play. He serves as a quiet counterpoint to the film’s more chaotic elements.