Last Summer
A successful French lawyer risks dismantling her marriage and family when she begins an intense, taboo affair with her teenage stepson.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- intimate
- provocative
- uncomfortable
- arthouse movie night
- late night cinephile viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s candid examination of female sexuality and sustained erotic suspense, while some found its restrained tone and later developments underpowered.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Anne’s affair is presented in a matter-of-fact, tonally detached style that heightens discomfort and suspense.
Anne becomes involved with Théo, her husband’s son from a previous marriage, transforming family intimacy into a source of transgression.
The passionate relationship between the older lawyer Anne and adolescent Théo is central to the film’s provocative conflict.
The film combines candid sexual material with restrained observation, complicating empathy rather than directing it.
Films like Last Summer, and why
The Piano Teacher
shared erotic drama, moral ambiguity, and psychologically charged sexual transgression
In the Realm of the Senses
shared provocative treatment of female sexuality, intimate domestic settings, and uncomfortable desire
Damage
shared erotic suspense, family disruption, and emotionally detached examination of infidelity
Queen of Hearts
shared transgressive desire, taboo relationships, and coolly observed psychological intensity
Movie Details
- Director
- Catherine Breillat
- Release Date
- 2023-09-13
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (257)
Cast
- Léa Drucker
- Samuel Kircher
- Olivier Rabourdin
- Clotilde Courau
- Serena Hu
- Angela Chen
- Lila-Rose Gilberti
- Karim Achoui
- Valérie Schlumberger
- Jean Christophe Pilloix
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Last Summer about?
- A successful French lawyer risks dismantling her marriage and family when she begins an intense, taboo affair with her teenage stepson.
- What is Last Summer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Last Summer as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Last Summer violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Last Summer.
- What did critics think of Last Summer?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s candid examination of female sexuality and sustained erotic suspense, while some found its restrained tone and later developments underpowered.
- Which films are like Last Summer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Piano Teacher, In the Realm of the Senses, Damage, and Queen of Hearts.
- How long is Last Summer?
- Last Summer runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Last Summer?
- In United States, Last Summer is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
