Swimming Pool

In a bid to battle writer’s block and complete the latest in her ‘Inspector Dorwel’ series, famed crime novelist Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) heads to her publisher’s (Charles Dance) house in the sunny south of France. Just when Sarah finally begins to relax and write, sexually liberated Julie (played with unrelenting vigour by Ludivine Sagnier) explodes into the house and her life, claiming to be her publisher’s daughter.

After initially clashing with Julie over her string of one night stands, Sarah eventually warms to her, actually growing jealous and intrigued of her carefree outlook. What ensues is a fascinating examination of identity, sexuality and voyeurism.

François Ozon, undeniably influenced by Alfred Hitchcock as well as the similarly sumptuous La Piscine (1969), constructs a taut thriller, rippling with desire and emotion. Ozon, like Hitchcock, utilises a single mistake to gradually build upon and progress towards the film’s final reveal.