The French murder mystery film A Private Life, featuring Jodie Foster, has earned a strong critical reception, debuting with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and released theatrically in France in November, the movie follows Foster as a psychiatrist who investigates the suspicious death of a patient. The film is set for its U.S. release on January 16, 2026.
Director Rebecca Zlotowski co-wrote the screenplay with Anne Berest and Gaëlle Macé, crafting a story that diverges from standard murder mysteries by blending elements of character study and romantic comedy. Despite its Certified Fresh status, A Private Life does not match the critical acclaim of Jodie Foster’s earlier murder mystery project, True Detective: Night Country, which holds a higher 93% critics score.
Plot and Cast Details
Jodie Foster portrays Lilian Steiner, a prominent psychiatrist deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind one of her patient’s deaths, which she suspects to be murder. The film’s ensemble cast includes well-known actors such as Daniel Auteuil (Gabriel Haddad), Virginie Efira (Paula Cohen-Solal), Mathieu Amalric (Simon Cohen-Solal), Vincent Lacoste, and Luana Bajrami, drawing on their dynamic performances to enrich the complex narrative.
Critical Reception and Style
Critics have noted Foster’s magnetic presence anchors the film, even as its genre-fluid nature divides opinions. Gregory Nussen of ScreenRant praised the film’s psychological depth and unique tone, saying,
“Jodie Foster’s captivating murder mystery is psychologically dense and thrillingly strange… utilizing her French linguistic skills, Foster dazzles in Rebecca Zlotowski’s all-together uncommon caper.”
Nussen’s review highlights Foster’s fluent French and her ability to carry the film’s unconventional spirit.
Many reviewers find A Private Life to be a hybrid of styles—part mystery, part character exploration, and part romantic comedy—with some appreciating its Hitchcockian suspense and wit, while others criticize its uneven tonal shifts and unresolved plotlines. These tonal changes reflect the emotional turbulence of Foster’s character and contribute to the film’s offbeat atmosphere, which some see as charming and others as disjointed.
Performance Recognition and Impact
Jodie Foster’s work in A Private Life has been acknowledged with nominations for both the César Award and the Lumière Award for Best Actress, making her the first American to receive such nominations at these prestigious French ceremonies. This recognition underscores Foster’s significant impact on the film, which critics largely agree is propelled more by her compelling performance than by the plot’s inconsistencies.
The film’s combination of psychological intrigue and emotional nuance offers a fresh take on the murder mystery genre, inviting audiences to engage with the protagonist’s personal journey as much as the investigation itself. While A Private Life may not reach the critical heights of Foster’s previous work on True Detective: Night Country, it establishes her continued versatility and ability to captivate through complex roles in international cinema.
