Secret Things
Two working-class women weaponize seduction inside a Parisian bank, only to encounter a voyeuristic heir whose sexual power exceeds their own.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- provocative
- sardonic
- disturbing
- arthouse cinema night
- transgressive cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film strikingly imaginative and intermittently compelling as an erotic drama, but excessively sexualized, pretentious, and uncertain in its intellectual ambitions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film is associated with the New French Extremity tradition and foregrounds orgies, voyeurism, public masturbation, and coercive desire.
Nathalie and Sandrine turn seduction into a means of entering and advancing through a large bank.
The women’s movement from precarious Parisian work into elite banking circles links sexual power to class mobility.
Christophe is characterized as a manipulative voyeur whose sexual networks depend on observing and controlling others.
Films like Secret Things, and why
Eyes Wide Shut
erotic psychological tension, voyeurism, and elite sexual power games
The Piano Teacher
provocative erotic drama combining class critique, sexual manipulation, and transgressive imagery
Romance
French eroticism, social performance, and morally charged sexual relationships
Baise-moi
stylized erotic drama centered on desire, exploitation, and female sexual agency
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-Claude Brisseau
- Release Date
- 2002-10-16
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (118)
Cast
- Coralie Revel
- Sabrina Seyvecou
- Roger Miremont
- Fabrice Deville
- Blandine Bury
- Olivier Soler
- Viviane Théophildès
- Dorothée Picard
- Pierre Gabaston
- María Luisa García
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Secret Things about?
- Two working-class women weaponize seduction inside a Parisian bank, only to encounter a voyeuristic heir whose sexual power exceeds their own.
- What is Secret Things like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Secret Things as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Secret Things violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Secret Things as mild.
- What did critics think of Secret Things?
- Critics broadly found the film strikingly imaginative and intermittently compelling as an erotic drama, but excessively sexualized, pretentious, and uncertain in its intellectual ambitions.
- Which films are like Secret Things?
- Films with a similar feel include Eyes Wide Shut, The Piano Teacher, Romance, and Baise-moi.
- How long is Secret Things?
- Secret Things runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Secret Things?
- In United States, Secret Things is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store.
