New Movies: Two Women (2025) by Chloé Robichaud: A Bold Exploration of Female Desire and Suburban Unfulfillment
- dailyentertainment95
- Jun 8
- 9 min read
Two Women (2025) is a Canadian sex comedy film directed by Chloé Robichaud, a modernized remake of Claude Fournier's influential 1970 comedy Two Women in Gold. Starring Karine Gonthier-Hyndman and Laurence Leboeuf as Florence and Violette, two unfulfilled suburban mothers, the film delves into their reevaluation of life priorities after Florence engages in an extramarital affair with Violette's partner. Explicit and hilarious, it aims to subvert expectations and explore themes of female desire, sexual liberation, and rebellion against societal norms in contemporary suburban life.
Short Summary
Chloé Robichaud's Two Women (2025) is a Canadian sex comedy and a modern remake of a 1970 film. It follows two unfulfilled suburban mothers whose lives change after one has an affair with the other's partner, exploring themes of female desire and liberation with humor.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31066723/
About movie: https://www.pulsarcontent.com/current-titles
Link to watch: (industry professionals): https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/two-women
Detailed Summary
Two Women (2025), originally titled Deux femmes en or in French, is a Canadian sex comedy film directed by Chloé Robichaud. It serves as a modernized remake of Claude Fournier's influential 1970 comedy Two Women in Gold. The film stars Karine Gonthier-Hyndman as Florence and Laurence Leboeuf as Violette, two suburban mothers grappling with feelings of unfulfillment despite their careers and families. Their lives take an unexpected turn when Florence engages in an extramarital affair, leading both women to reevaluate their life priorities and desires.
The film is described as explicit and hilarious, aiming to defy and subvert viewer expectations by playing with sexual conventions while highlighting how sexual politics, particularly concerning female autonomy, haven't changed much since the original film's release. Shot on 35mm film to lend a nostalgic yet modern touch, Two Women explores themes of female desire, liberation, motherhood, marriage, and mental health within the context of suburban malaise. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2025 and is produced by Amerique Film.
Plot Summary
Unfulfilled Lives: Florence and Violette are two suburban mothers who feel unfulfilled, despite having careers and families. Violette is a new mother struggling with isolation and suspected infidelity from her husband, Benoit (Félix Moati). Florence, a translator, struggles with mental health issues and a lackluster relationship with her boyfriend, David (Mani Soleymanlou).
The Catalyst: Florence engages in an extramarital affair with Violette's partner, triggering a reevaluation of both women's lives and priorities.
Rebellion and Self-Discovery: Their dissatisfaction leads them to seek unconventional ways to reclaim their sense of self and desire, including "unexpected flings or small acts of rebellion."
Sexual Liberation: The film explores their journey of sexual autonomy and freedom from societal expectations, particularly concerning monogamy and patriarchal structures.
Suburban Setting: The story unfolds in a Montreal suburb, with explicit references to intimate noises heard between paper-thin walls, emphasizing their feelings of confinement.
Ambiguous Ending: The film’s conclusion leaves the characters' future ambiguous, not neatly tying up loose ends, but unmasking the desires of suburban housewives with confidence.
Director's Vision
Chloé Robichaud's directorial vision for Two Women (2025) is a bold and contemporary exploration of female desire and liberation, updated from a 1970s cult classic. Her vision emphasizes:
Empowerment of Neglected Women: Robichaud aims to provide a sense of empowerment for women whose responsibilities have overshadowed their own needs, highlighting the necessity to tap into female desire to escape melancholy.
Challenging Sexual Politics: Inspired by the original film's boldness, Robichaud uses explicit sexuality not for exploitation but as a tool to provoke discussion and illustrate that female desire is about "connection" and "what they need in their lives right now," rather than just orgasm.
Defying Societal Expectations: The film is an "unabashedly vocal protest against fulfilling societal expectations as a woman," subverting stereotypes and encouraging women to control their own happiness and body confidence.
Female Gaze: The emphasis is firmly placed on life's meaning of happiness from a female perspective, often reversing the dynamic by making men the objects of the women's desire.
Nostalgic Yet Modern Aesthetic: The choice to shoot on 35mm film was deliberate to give the film a nostalgic feel while bringing cinematic quality to a dialogue-driven script and tackling modern themes.
Timeliness: Robichaud notes that the story needs to be told now, as relationships between men and women and couple dynamics are constantly being redefined in an era of both prosperity and demanding responsibilities.
Key Themes
Female Desire and Sexual Liberation: A central theme exploring women's journey to understand and reclaim their sexuality and desires outside traditional societal norms and monogamous relationships.
Suburban Unfulfillment: The film delves into the malaise and sense of failure experienced by women in seemingly comfortable suburban lives, despite having careers and families.
Rebellion Against Societal Norms: Florence and Violette's actions are portrayed as acts of rebellion against a rigid, performance-driven society that often stifles individual happiness and spontaneity.
Friendship and Connection: The developing bond between the two women as they navigate their struggles and desires is a key emotional component, offering human connection.
Motherhood and Marriage: The film touches on the complexities of new motherhood (Violette's isolation) and the dynamics within marriages (Florence's lackluster relationship), exploring their impact on mental and sexual health.
Feminist Commentary: Updating a 1970s film, it provides a contemporary feminist lens on how sexual politics have (or haven't) evolved.
Key Success Factors
Bold and Explicit Approach: The film's willingness to be explicit and hilarious sets it apart, allowing it to frankly discuss female sexuality and societal expectations.
Remake of a Cult Classic: Drawing inspiration from an influential 1970s Quebecois film provides a strong foundation and a built-in interest for audiences familiar with the original.
Strong Lead Performances: Karine Gonthier-Hyndman and Laurence Leboeuf are praised for bringing humor and depth to their roles, creating a captivating chemistry.
Relevant and Timely Themes: The film addresses contemporary issues concerning women's autonomy, mental health, and relationship dynamics, making it resonant with modern audiences.
Director's Established Talent: Chloé Robichaud's track record of critically acclaimed films and festival selections (Cannes, Toronto) ensures a high level of artistic quality.
Sundance Premiere: Its world premiere in competition at the Sundance Film Festival provides significant prestige and visibility.
Awards and Nominations
Two Women (2025) premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Sundance Film Festival 2025: Winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic for Writing (shared by Catherine Léger and Chloé Robichaud).
Critical Reception
Critical reception for Two Women (2025) has been generally positive, with critics acknowledging its bold approach and thematic depth, though some note areas for deeper character development.
Next Best Picture: Gave it a 6/10, praising Robichaud for effectively remaking the original with Catherine Léger's witty script, and its tackling of contemporary themes through a "subdued, comedic lens." However, it noted that the "characterisation of the titular characters lacks interiority."
Movie Marker: Called it a "riveting tale of female desire and friendship" that is "as comedic as it is heartfelt." It applauded Robichaud for her "gentle but unwavering confidence exploring the beauty of the female body within motherhood" and for being "unabashedly vocal in its protest against fulfilling societal expectations as a woman."
The Moya View: Described it as a "bold and contemporary take on female desire and liberation," praising Robichaud's direction for bringing a fresh perspective and the strong performances of the leads. It noted minor flaws such as "cringy humor" and "uneven pacing" but affirmed its "overall impact."
Overall, critics commend the film for its daring exploration of female sexuality and societal expectations, its comedic flair, and its attempt to empower neglected women, despite some critiques regarding character depth and narrative execution in certain subplots.
Reviews
Audience and widespread critical reviews for Two Women (2025) are developing as it begins its release cycle after its Sundance premiere. Early sentiment suggests that audiences appreciate its unique blend of comedy and drama, and its frank discussion of female desire and unfulfillment. Viewers are likely to find the film:
Provocative and Thought-Provoking: Its explicit content and subversive themes are designed to spark discussion about sexual politics and societal expectations.
Relatable: Many "adults who have ever been in a relationship" or "young parents" are expected to "recognize themselves in the dilemmas faced by the characters."
Humorous and Empathetic: The film's balance of levity with deeper, introspective scenes, combined with strong performances, creates an empathetic viewing experience.
Visually Distinctive: The 35mm cinematography provides a unique aesthetic that adds to its appeal.
Production Summary
Two Women (2025) is a Canadian feature film directed by Chloé Robichaud. The screenplay was written by Catherine Léger, based on her own play Home Deliveries, which in turn was inspired by Claude Fournier's 1970 film Two Women in Gold. The film is produced by Montreal-based production company Amerique Film. It was shot on 35mm film.
Production Companies
The primary production company for Two Women (2025) is Amerique Film (Montreal, Canada). PH4SE is also listed as a production company.
Sales Companies
Pulsar Content (Paris-based) has acquired worldwide sales rights for Two Women (2025).
Distribution Companies
Maison 4:3 will release Two Women (2025) in Canada in 2025.
Streaming Release Date
A specific streaming release date for Two Women (2025) has not been announced. Given its Sundance premiere and sales company, it is likely seeking distribution on major streaming platforms after its theatrical release in Canada.
Theatrical Release
Two Women (2025) had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. It is scheduled for theatrical release in Canada in 2025, with some screenings confirmed in May and June 2025 at independent cinemas like Metro Cinema and as part of TIFF.
Why to Recommend the Movie
Bold and Subversive: The film offers a frank and humorous exploration of female desire and sexual liberation, challenging traditional norms.
Modern Remake of a Classic: It updates an influential 1970s Canadian cult film, bringing its themes into a contemporary context with fresh insights.
Strong Female Perspective: Directed by Chloé Robichaud and starring talented actresses, the film is firmly rooted in the female gaze, offering an authentic portrayal of women's experiences.
Thought-Provoking Comedy: It blends humor with deeper themes of unfulfillment, motherhood, marriage, and mental health, making it both entertaining and reflective.
Festival Acclaim: Its premiere in competition at Sundance and its writing award indicate high artistic quality and critical recognition.
Why to Watch the Movie
If you enjoy comedies with an edge: This film uses humor to tackle sensitive and relevant topics about female sexuality and societal pressures.
To experience a unique female gaze: The direction and performances provide a distinct and empathetic perspective on women's internal lives and desires.
If you're interested in modern takes on classic themes: The remake offers a fresh look at concepts of freedom and fulfillment for women.
To see powerful performances from the lead actresses: Karine Gonthier-Hyndman and Laurence Leboeuf deliver captivating and nuanced portrayals.
To support independent and international cinema: This Canadian film offers a unique voice and story from outside the mainstream.
Movie Trend
The film is following the trend of Contemporary Feminist Sex Comedies and Reimagined Classics. This trend sees filmmakers revisiting older, often provocative, narratives with a modern, feminist lens to explore current social issues, particularly those related to female desire, sexual politics, and the subversion of traditional roles. It also aligns with the growing appreciation for independent and international films that challenge conventions.
Social Trend
The film aligns with the social trend of Increased Dialogue Around Female Empowerment, Sexual Autonomy, and Mental Well-being in Motherhood. In a post-#MeToo era, there is a strong cultural push to openly discuss female desire, challenge patriarchal structures, and acknowledge the often unspoken struggles faced by women, particularly mothers, in balancing responsibilities with personal fulfillment. The film directly taps into these evolving conversations.
Final Verdict
Two Women (2025), directed by Chloé Robichaud, is a bold and vital Canadian film that reimagines a 1970s cult classic for contemporary audiences. With explicit humor and a sharp feminist lens, it fearlessly explores the unfulfillment of suburban mothers and their journey towards sexual liberation and self-discovery. Anchored by compelling performances from Karine Gonthier-Hyndman and Laurence Leboeuf, and distinguished by its 35mm aesthetic, the film offers a nuanced yet subversive take on motherhood, marriage, and female desire. Its premiere and writing award at Sundance underscore its artistic merit and relevance, establishing it as a thought-provoking and entertaining work that directly engages with crucial social dialogues.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Embrace Bold Themes: Don't shy away from provocative or sensitive subjects; use them to spark important conversations and challenge societal norms.
Revisit Classics with a Modern Lens: Consider adapting or remaking older works to explore how their themes resonate or have evolved in contemporary society.
Prioritize Female Perspectives: Create stories firmly rooted in the female gaze, offering authentic and complex portrayals of women's experiences and desires.
Blend Humor with Depth: Utilize comedy to approach serious topics, making them more accessible and allowing for both entertainment and profound reflection.
Leverage Festival Platforms: Premiering at prestigious festivals like Sundance can provide significant buzz, critical validation, and sales opportunities for independent films.
Recommendations for the Movie Industry
Support Female Filmmakers: Continue to invest in and promote women directors who are bringing unique and vital perspectives to cinema.
Greenlight Unconventional Comedies: Encourage and fund comedies that are not afraid to be explicit, subversive, and tackle complex social issues, moving beyond traditional genre boundaries.
Invest in International Productions: Recognize the value of cinema from diverse countries and support its distribution to global audiences.
Champion Thematic Relevance: Prioritize films that engage with current social trends and dialogues, offering audiences works that are both entertaining and culturally significant.
Promote Artistic Freedom: Encourage filmmakers to explore sensitive topics with artistic confidence and integrity, fostering a vibrant and thought-provoking cinematic landscape.
Final Conclusions
Two Women (2025), directed by Chloé Robichaud, is a daring and timely Canadian film that reinterprets a 1970s classic through a modern, feminist lens. It offers a frank and often hilarious exploration of suburban mothers' unfulfillment and their journey toward sexual liberation. With strong performances and a distinct directorial vision, the film delves into the complexities of motherhood, marriage, and female desire, proving both entertaining and thought-provoking. Its Sundance premiere and writing award highlight its artistic excellence and cultural relevance, positioning it as a significant work that contributes to ongoing conversations about female empowerment and autonomy.
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