Overview
A powerful woman confronts her darkest fears in a chilling game of cat and mouse.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- darkly comic
- provocative
- sardonic
- arthouse thriller night
- adult cinephile viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Paul Verhoeven's audacious direction and Isabelle Huppert's commanding performance in a disturbing, darkly comic psychological thriller.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michèle tracks down the unknown assailant herself, turning the aftermath of the attack into a psychologically complicated power game.
Michèle's ruthless leadership of a video game company and her resolute response to the assault reflect her refusal to appear vulnerable.
The film repeatedly places sexual violence, family dysfunction, and predatory behavior alongside irreverent humor and satirical social observation.
Michèle's work in video game production contrasts with the invasion of her home, linking simulated violence to intimate real-world threat.
Films like Elle, and why
Promising Young Woman
shares a psychologically intense rape-revenge framework, morally ambiguous protagonist, and provocative examination of violence and power
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
shares a female-centered psychological thriller structure, sexual menace, and unsettling ambiguity around agency and retaliation
I Stand Alone
shares a darkly comic, sexually charged thriller tone and an affluent protagonist navigating predatory social environments
Basic Instinct
shares Paul Verhoeven's transgressive blend of erotic tension, satire, violence, and unstable moral perspective
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Verhoeven
- Release Date
- 2016-05-25
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (2040)
Cast
- Isabelle Huppert
- Laurent Lafitte
- Anne Consigny
- Charles Berling
- Virginie Efira
- Judith Magre
- Christian Berkel
- Jonas Bloquet
- Alice Isaaz
- Vimala Pons
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Elle about?
- After a home assault, a ruthlessly self-possessed French game executive hunts for her attacker and enters a dangerous contest of control, desire, and revenge.
- What is Elle like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Elle as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Elle violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Elle as graphic.
- What did critics think of Elle?
- Critics broadly praised Paul Verhoeven's audacious direction and Isabelle Huppert's commanding performance in a disturbing, darkly comic psychological thriller.
- Which films are like Elle?
- Films with a similar feel include Promising Young Woman, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I Stand Alone, and Basic Instinct.
- How long is Elle?
- Elle runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Elle?
- In United States, Elle is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
