Richard Linklater’s new Netflix film finds its roots in the chaotic energy of his first major project, Slacker, released in 1990. The director revealed that the behind-the-scenes turmoil portrayed in his recent movie, which fictionalizes the creation of Jean-Luc Godard’s groundbreaking Breathless, draws heavily from his own experiences during that period.
In a conversation with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender, Linklater pointed out that Slacker was the most significant influence on his latest work. It was not just his earliest film, but the first time he managed a crew, marking a turning point where he had to articulate his vision to others after working largely alone.
Well, I think the most influential film of my own on this was obviously my first film. And I define that not as my first film, really, but the first one where I had a crew, [Slacker]. I finally had a lot of people after I’d worked kind of alone for a long time, so it was the first time I had to explain myself to a lot of people.
– Richard Linklater, Director
A Kinship with Godard’s Unconventional Approach
Linklater’s connection with Godard’s Breathless extends beyond thematic inspiration to their shared methods of filmmaking. Godard famously improvised many elements of Breathless during its production, a technique that resonates with Linklater’s own unconventional, loosely scripted approach to Slacker.
I was making a film that was pretty unconventionally-scripted. It wasn’t a script. People were wondering about me, so I brought all that anxiety. It was maybe a strange confidence and belief in yourself mixed with incredible anxiety and volatility that it could all fall apart while making your first film.
– Richard Linklater, Director
This mix of uncertainty and determination was a hallmark for both filmmakers in their early careers, as Linklater also related to Godard’s status as a young, unproven director when making his debut feature.
I was about the same age as Godard, in my late twenties, making my first film,
Linklater noted.
That infused this film for sure, but in a good way.
– Richard Linklater, Director
Legacy of ’90s Indie Films and the French New Wave Influence
Slacker played a vital role in shaping 1990s independent cinema, giving rise to the slacker comedy genre that featured disaffected, aimless characters navigating dead-end lives, often with a comedic touch and occasional drug use. Notable examples in this vein include Kevin Smith’s Clerks and Mallrats, alongside Linklater’s own Dazed and Confused.
While Slacker’s impact was significant, Godard’s Breathless was even more revolutionary, initiating the Nouvelle Vague or French New Wave movement. This wave consisted of innovative filmmakers bent on challenging traditional cinematic norms through bold, often rule-breaking storytelling and highly self-aware film techniques.
ScreenRant praised Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague as
an ode to the French New Wave
and a charming hangout movie. The review highlighted the visible enthusiasm Linklater brings to the project, stating:
Even from behind the camera, you can tell Linklater is delighted and that kind of joy is infectious as the director advocates for the freedom of the artist and contemplates how the most beautiful works can be born from chaos.
Critical Success and Festival Acclaim
Nouvelle Vague has received widespread critical acclaim, boasting an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which positions it among the highest-rated films in Linklater’s career. This rating matches the same score achieved by Blue Moon, another 2025 release directed by Linklater and featuring frequent collaborator Ethan Hawke.
The film’s momentum was evident from its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered an impressive 11-minute standing ovation, one of the longest at the event. The excitement around Nouvelle Vague underscores its cultural and artistic significance.
Notable Cast Portraying Iconic Figures
Nouvelle Vague features an ensemble cast bringing to life historical figures from the French New Wave. Zoey Deutch plays Jean Seberg, Guillaume Marbeck embodies Jean-Luc Godard, Aubry Dullin portrays Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Adrien Rouyard takes on the role of François Truffaut, enriching the film’s vivid recreation of this cinematic era.
The Importance of Linklater’s Latest Project in Film History
By channeling the ethos of both his early directorial journey and the fearless spirit of the French New Wave, Richard Linklater’s new film offers more than just a behind-the-scenes story. It stands as a tribute to artistic freedom amid uncertainty, highlighting how creative brilliance often emerges through disorder. The film’s success suggests a lasting impact on contemporary audiences and a continued reverence for the innovative movements that shape cinema.
