REVIEW: Jodie Foster shines in French thriller A Private Life
Published September 12, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Taking on her first major French-speaking role, Jodie Foster shines in the thriller A Private Life.
Described as a French black comedy mystery film, Foster stars as an American psychoanalyst living in Paris who decides to uncover the truth around the unexpected death of her patient.
Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, the film also stars Daniel Auteuil as Foster’s ex-husband and Mathieu Amalric as an angry widower.
A two-time Oscar winner, Foster told reporters at the Toronto Film Festival Canadian premiere that the role was a challenge but something she had wanted to do for a long time. As a child, Foster attended the Lycée Français de Los Angeles, a French-language school, and has taken minor roles in French films in the past.
In A Private Life or Vie privée, Foster takes on a dialogue-heavy role as the main character. Her French has been described as elegant and fluent in the film.
The story begins when Foster’s character, Dr. Lilian Steiner, learns that her client Paula (Virginie Efira) has taken her own life. But Lilian soon suspects foul play after Paula’s daughter, Valérie (Luàna Bajrami), visits leaving behind an ominous note.
The film takes some unexpected and comical turns as Lilian resorts to a session with a hypnotherapist, which leads her to believe she and her patient had a relationship in a past life. Viewers start to doubt Lilian’s reliability as the hero when she drinks too much and loses the ability to think logically.
The film is visually appealing with winding staircases, rich interiors and rain-blurred shots. It is also sexually steamy at times.
Foster’s performance keeps the film engaging, and for her fans, it is a must-see.
View this post on Instagram