Image Credit: MK2 Films
Following a stellar showing at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Netflix has purchased exclusive distribution rights to the drama gentle monsterHeadlined by Léa Seydoux and Laurence Rupp.
Netflix selected four films to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2026: La Bola Negra (The Black Ball), the sacrifice, in the waves, And Gentle monster. The latter is directed by Marie Kreutzer (courses, the ground beneath my feet) and stars BAFTA-nominated actress Léa Seydoux (blue is the warmest Colour), also known for her role as Dr. Madeleine Swann throughout Hollywood James Bond Franchises, as well as presence in larger franchises dune And mission imposible. Also co-starring is Austrian actor Laurence Rupp, who notably starred in the Netflix historical drama savage.
A dark and disturbing drama, gentle monster It received a standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival – it immediately sparked early awards buzz and was cited as a top contender for the Best International Feature Oscar. Netflix sees this picture as Best Actress for Léa Seydoux.
The film is not the only picture screening at Cannes in which Seydoux has been involved; He also starred in Arthur Harari’s science-fiction film unknown.
What is gentle monster About this?
gentle monster is an emotional and unsettling drama that explores difficult and sensitive subjects.
The film follows experimental musician Lucie (Seydoux), a mother and wife who is happily married; However, her and her child’s life is thrown into turmoil when her husband, Philip (Rupp), is suddenly arrested for possessing and distributing child pornography. It is unclear whether her husband was involved in the creation of the material, or whether her own child was exploited in creating it – but she knows that her life has been permanently changed. It narrates her emotional journey as she grapples with the unimaginable; Her shock, denial and ultimate discovery of the truth. The film also features a sub-plot based on special investigator, Elsa (played by Jella Haase), who pursues the case.
This story takes inspiration from a true article in the German newspaper Die Zeit. “It was about a large group of pedophiles in Germany who are exposed and then put on trial,” said director Marie Kreutzer. deadline. “It was about the whole investigation, it was very explicit, it was very hard to read. And after that, I was at a public event [swimming] The pool with my daughter, and I walked around the area, and I couldn’t see families the way I had seen them before. And it really changed my perspective because obviously I knew about sexual violence against or toward children. But I wasn’t aware that, statistically speaking, I should not only know the victims, which I know I know, but I should also know the perpetrators. And that made me feel very angry and sad, but also helpless. And I thought the only thing I could do about it is make a movie about it because that’s what I do.
gentle monster It is also a career first for star Léa Seydoux, who sings on screen for the first time.
There aren’t too many images for the upcoming film, but you can check out the poster and an official clip here before Netflix releases the images themselves:
full cast list
Check out the full cast list for gentle monster down below:
- Léa Seydoux (blue is the warmest Colour) as Lucy Weiss
- catherine deneuve (belle de jour) as Erin
- Jella Haase (cleo) as Elsa Kuhn
- laurence roop (savage) as Philip Weisz
- Sylvester Groth (Inglourious Basterds) as Hermann Kuhn
- Katharina Lorenz (lou andreas-salome) as Mike
- regina fritsch (curse) as Inge Weiss
- nils strunk As (other people’s money) lucas
- Patrycja Ziolkowska (the edge of Heaven) as Natalia
- rainer doppler (curse) as Volker Weiss
- rafael nicholas Angel as HR
- Anton Rubtsov as arian
- malo blanchett as johnny
which area is gentle monster Licensed on Netflix?
gentle monster There is no exclusive international pick-up for Netflix. The streamer has acquired exclusive streaming rights to the film in the following territories:
- North America (USA and Canada)
- united kingdom
- Australia
- new zealand
What are the early reviews? gentle monster Saying?
Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, critics praised Gentle Monster. The film received many positive ratings, particularly celebrating the emotionally charged performance of headline star Léa Seydoux. But rotten tomatoesIt currently holds a 62% critic score based on 29 reviews. Here’s what the reviews are saying.
- Guardian The film was rated 4/5 and considered “a bleak, pessimistic film with two excellent lead performances”.
- daily screen praised Seydoux’s performance, writing: “Léa Seydoux impresses in a difficult role.”
- indiewire The film was given a ‘B’ grade, writing that it is “a tough and uncompromising social drama about the predators among us – and how difficult it can be to see them for who they are.”
gentle monster official age rating
Given the heavy and sensitive subjects involved, gentle monster have received one Officer age rating of R For sexuality, graphic nudity and some language.
When will Gentle Monster stream on Netflix?
Netflix hasn’t set a streaming release date yet Gentle monster. We will keep you posted when we have a streaming date.
