Overview
A sun-soaked villa becomes the backdrop for a deadly love triangle.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- languid
- erotic
- foreboding
- summer evening
- classic cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film's elegant design, controlled psychological suspense, and sensual depiction of desire, while some dismiss its stylized modernity as thin.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The villa pool dominates the film's imagery and stages the characters' increasingly dangerous interactions.
The stylish vacation lifestyle coexists with sexual jealousy, manipulation, and deadly consequences.
The languorous holiday mood turns into psychological fear as Jean-Paul's seduction of Penelope destabilizes the group.
Marianne's invitation to Harry and Penelope forces former lovers and their partners into sustained proximity at the villa.
Films like The Swimming Pool, and why
The Talented Mr. Ripley
shared erotic tension, affluent vacation setting, and psychologically charged relationship conflict
Purple Noon
shared sun-drenched glamour, sexual jealousy, and crime emerging from intimate social dynamics
The Postman Always Rings Twice
shared elegant coastal setting, amoral desire, and slow-building psychological suspense
Bitter Moon
shared morally compromised lovers, sensual atmosphere, and fatal consequences of passion
Movie Details
- Director
- Jacques Deray
- Release Date
- 1969-01-31
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (581)
Cast
- Alain Delon
- Romy Schneider
- Maurice Ronet
- Jane Birkin
- Paul Crauchet
- Suzie Jaspard
- Maddly Bamy
- Thierry Chabert
- Steve Eckardt
- Ruth Price
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Swimming Pool about?
- At a glamorous Saint-Tropez villa, an ex-lover's arrival turns a languid poolside holiday into a deadly contest of desire and jealousy.
- What is The Swimming Pool like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Swimming Pool as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Swimming Pool violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Swimming Pool as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Swimming Pool?
- Critics broadly praise the film's elegant design, controlled psychological suspense, and sensual depiction of desire, while some dismiss its stylized modernity as thin.
- Which films are like The Swimming Pool?
- Films with a similar feel include The Talented Mr. Ripley, Purple Noon, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Bitter Moon.
- How long is The Swimming Pool?
- The Swimming Pool runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Swimming Pool?
- In United States, The Swimming Pool streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
