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Breathe

Play trailer Poster for Breathe Released Sep 11, 2015 1h 31m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Charlie, a 17-year-old girl tortured by doubt, is thrilled when she becomes friends with Sarah, but when Sarah tires of Charlie and looks for a new friend, their relationship takes an ominous turn.
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Breathe

Breathe

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Critics Consensus

Breathe finds writer-director Mélanie Laurent opening a sensitive, well-acted window into the bittersweet upheaval of adolescence.

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Critics Reviews

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Alison Willmore BuzzFeed News Breathe is a deftly observed look at teen power games and how closeness can turn to animosity in one miserable night out. Dec 4, 2015 Full Review Kate Erbland Film School Rejects Laurent has an excellent eye for shot composition, and cinematographer Arnaud Potier's crisp photography aids the director in creating an enviable set of gorgeous and memorable shots, and the film is consistently visually compelling. Rated: A- Oct 16, 2015 Full Review Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post In some ways it plays like a horror movie, in other ways it's almost a documentary. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 15, 2015 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) Their close bond, however, slowly becomes a hostile, sometimes violent one. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Valerie Kalfrin AWFJ.org The drama rises on the rich performances of its two leads ... Neither girl is unsympathetic, which makes the ending of Breathe as sad and as startling as it feels inevitable. Aug 14, 2022 Full Review Q.V. Hough Vague Visages "'Breathe' works on various levels thanks to Arnaud Potier's cinematography, Laurent's polished direction and the magnetic charisma of the leads." Jun 28, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jonathan K Mean Girls but French and not funny... like at all. This is a hard watch. Seriously straight-up sociopath narcissist behavior on full display. It really should’ve been titled "Gaslighting". As a viewer, you know it's going to escalate and end badly. The film does a brilliant job of putting you in the main character’s shoes, her perspective. You completely understand her responses and actions, feeling the pain and chaos of being gaslit and manipulated, the teen angst and hormones. I found myself hating the mean girl, but the movie intentionally doesn't leave room for seeing things from both sides -- it’s a one-sided perspective. Quite an intense ride, and the actresses are all incredible, especially the lead, who absolutely owns the final scene. The movie’s singular vision allows you to empathize with her, even when she shifts from victim to perpetrator. And even after, you’re still feeling her pain, the chaos, and the toxic swirl left by this relationship. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/26/25 Full Review Ashleysmashley good movie..very realistic Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review Audience Member I had to use my inhaler after watching this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/20/24 Full Review Conny M A piece of shit, great ambientance. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Intense, if ever you were (or are) a teenager who seemingly attracted drama and toxic people to you this movie is perfect for you to not feel alone; the essence of youth guides the tone for the film and in the midst of social pressure, ecstasy, sex , ego and insecurity most of all the film unravels into an increasingly toxic relationship between two beautiful but insecure teenagers whose jealousy of each other ultimately leads to terrible consequences. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Show the manipulation of female friendship and being pushed over the edge by emotional and psychological bullying; thoughtful direction by Laurent and Japy and Laage are superb Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Breathe

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Cast & Crew

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Mélanie Laurent

Director

Joséphine Japy

Charlie

Lou de Laâge

Sarah

Isabelle Carré

Vanessa

Claire Keim

Laura

Roxane Duran

Victoire

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Breathe

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Movie Info

Synopsis Charlie, a 17-year-old girl tortured by doubt, is thrilled when she becomes friends with Sarah, but when Sarah tires of Charlie and looks for a new friend, their relationship takes an ominous turn.
Director
Mélanie Laurent
Producer
Bruno Lévy
Screenwriter
Julien Lambroschini, Mélanie Laurent, Julien Lambroschini
Distributor
Film Movement
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 11, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$42.3K
Runtime
1h 31m
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