No Way Back (2025) by Nathalie Najem: Breaking Free from Toxic Influence

Movie Summary: Two Women United Against a Shared Threat

"No Way Back" (original title: "Aux jours qui viennent") is a 2025 French drama film directed and written by Nathalie Najem. The story centers on Laura, a woman who has spent years under the toxic influence of Joachim and is now trying to rebuild her life while raising their daughter, Lou, on her own. Her fragile peace is disrupted when Shirine, Joachim's new partner, shows up at her door in a desperate state. Laura quickly realizes that Shirine is facing the same familiar threats and manipulative patterns that she once endured. The film follows these two women as they form an unlikely alliance, helping each other to find a way out of the harmful psychological and physical sway that Joachim still holds over their lives.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30814536/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/481416

About movie: https://cineuropa.org/en/film/481415/, https://cinando.com/en/Film/no_way_back_463577/Detail

Release date: July 23, 2025 (France)

Detailed Summary: The Entanglements of Control

• Laura's Lingering Scars: The film opens with Laura (Zita Hanrot) in Nice, trying to forge a stable life for herself and her 9-year-old daughter, Lou (Maya Hirsbein), away from the destructive influence of her ex-partner, Joachim. Despite the physical distance, Joachim's "heavy psychological impact" still weighs on her, and she anxiously monitors his sporadic calls, knowing his many manipulative sides.

• Shirine's Desperation: Joachim's current girlfriend, Shirine (Alexia Chardard), appears at Laura's doorstep in dire straits. Shirine, a heroin addict, has been clinging to Joachim, who himself is described as driven by "torturous intentions and an unhappiness that radiates into lies and a desire for control and manipulation." Shirine's work identifying drowned migrants in Sicily adds another layer of grim reality to her life.

• A Shared Threat: Laura quickly recognizes the pattern of control and abuse Shirine is experiencing, mirroring her own past with Joachim. This realization forms an immediate, if uneasy, bond between the two women. The film establishes a "double portrait of control" – Shirine facing a "present, physical, isolating and threatening stranglehold," while Laura grapples with the "heavy psychological impact of the past."

• The Return of Joachim: The narrative accelerates with the return of Joachim (Bastien Bouillon) to Nice, where Shirine has sought refuge. He proclaims, "You wanted me to come back, well, here I am!" This re-entry intensifies the tension as both women are now directly confronted by their tormentor, one physically, the other psychologically.

• Lou's Perspective: Little Lou, Laura and Joachim's daughter, serves as a poignant observer, watching and listening to the tumultuous world of adults struggling with fear, wounds, and the complex ambivalence of loving someone who is also a source of pain.

• Navigating Grey Areas: Najem's script avoids black-and-white morality, subtly navigating "between compassion and condemnation towards the author of that control." The film aims to be a realistic thriller, mixing intimate sequences with narrative accelerations, weaving a "terrifying net of perverse harassment" while exploring the complexities of denouncing someone one has loved. Bastien Bouillon's performance as Joachim is highlighted for ideally serving this ambiguity.

Plot Summary: An Alliance Against Manipulation

• Laura, a single mother, is attempting to move on from the toxic influence of her ex-partner, Joachim.

• Joachim's current partner, Shirine, arrives at Laura's door in distress, revealing she is under a similar manipulative threat.

• Recognizing the pattern, Laura and Shirine form an unexpected alliance to help each other escape Joachim's psychological and physical control.

• Joachim's return to Nice forces a direct confrontation, intensifying the women's struggle for freedom.

• The film explores the nuances of toxic relationships, the difficulty of breaking free, and the impact on the innocent observer, Lou.

Director's Vision: Nathalie Najem's Debut on Psychological Control

"No Way Back" marks Nathalie Najem's feature directorial debut, though she has an extensive background in screenwriting for other notable French films. Her vision for this film is characterized by:

• Realistic Psychological Thriller: Najem aims to combine "psychological realism and suspense," weaving a "terrifying net of perverse harassment."

• Nuanced Portrayal of Control: She deliberately avoids black-and-white thinking, exploring the "ambiguity" and "grey areas" of manipulative relationships, including the complexities of compassion and condemnation.

• Focus on Female Empowerment and Solidarity: The core of the film lies in the alliance between Laura and Shirine, highlighting their journey to break free together.

• Intimate and Accelerating Narrative: The film balances "intimate sequences" with "narrative accelerations," creating a dynamic pace.

• Actor-Driven Performances: The emphasis on strong performances from the lead cast, particularly Bastien Bouillon as Joachim, is crucial to her nuanced portrayal of control and its effects.

Themes: Toxic Relationships, Control, Trauma, Female Solidarity, and Freedom

• Toxic Relationships and Narcissism: The central theme explores the insidious nature of long-term psychological and emotional control exerted by a manipulative individual.

• Cycle of Abuse: The film portrays how patterns of behavior can repeat in new relationships, and the difficulty of breaking free from such cycles.

• Trauma and Healing: Both Laura and Shirine are dealing with the psychological scars left by Joachim's influence, and their journey is one of confronting and attempting to heal from this trauma.

• Female Solidarity: A powerful theme is the alliance formed between the two women, highlighting the strength and necessity of mutual support in overcoming shared adversity.

• Freedom and Agency: Ultimately, the film is about finding a way out of an "invisible cage" and reclaiming personal agency.

Key Success Factors: Strong Cast, Timely Subject, and Festival Buzz

• Talented Cast: The presence of acclaimed actors like Zita Hanrot and Bastien Bouillon (known for "The Night of the 12th") is a significant draw, promising nuanced performances.

• Relevant and Timely Subject: The exploration of toxic relationships and coercive control resonates strongly with contemporary social discussions.

• Director's Screenwriting Experience: Nathalie Najem's background as a screenwriter suggests a well-crafted narrative and character development for her directorial debut.

• International Sales and Market Presence: The film is handled by Indie Sales and was presented at major industry events like Unifrance Rendez-Vous and Cannes Film Market, indicating international interest.

• Psychological Depth: The film's commitment to exploring the psychological intricacies of its characters, rather than just external events, will appeal to audiences seeking a more layered drama.

Awards & Nominations: A Promising Debut

As a very recent release, "No Way Back" is just beginning its journey in the film world.

• Production & Sales: The film was produced by 31 Juin Films and is sold internationally by Indie Sales, indicating its ambition for a wider reach.

• Director's Background: Nathalie Najem is an established screenwriter and has directed several short films, including "Baby Love," which was in national competition at Clermont-Ferrand. This debut feature is a significant step in her career.

• No Major Industry Awards (Yet): As of late July 2025, it is too early for the film to have garnered major industry awards or nominations. Awards season typically occurs later in the year and into the following year.

Summary: "No Way Back" is Nathalie Najem's highly anticipated feature debut, supported by a strong production and sales team. While it's too early for major industry awards, its release marks a significant moment for the director.

Critics' Reception: A Dark Glow of Psychological Realism

Initial critical reception for "No Way Back" has been generally positive, with particular praise for its psychological depth, the nuanced performances of its lead actors, and Najem's skillful navigation of a sensitive and dark subject matter.

• Cineuropa Review (July 22, 2025): Fabien Lemercier, in a review for Cineuropa, praises the film, stating that "Bastien Bouillon shines with a dark glow in a story about control mixing together psychological realism and suspense, signed Nathalie Najem." The review highlights the film's success in weaving a "terrifying net of perverse harassment" while "carefully avoiding black-and-white thinking and subtly navigating between compassion and condemnation towards the author of that control."

• Psychological Depth: Critics appreciate how the film delves into the "addiction to feelings" and the "torturous intentions" of the manipulative character, Joachim, without resorting to simplistic villainy.

• Strong Performances: Bastien Bouillon (known from "The Night of the 12th") is particularly lauded for his "excellent" and "shape-shifting" performance, bringing a "dark glow" to a character whose fragility is toxic. Zita Hanrot is also commended as "very credible" in her role.

• Tension and Nuance: The film is noted for its ability to "carefully dos[e] tension" by alternating between "intimate sequences and narrative accelerations in the realistic thriller register." It’s seen as a film that "avoids easy answers and digs into the painful heart of its subject."

• Female Solidarity: The story's focus on the two women—Laura and Shirine—slowly helping each other is a key element that resonates positively with critics, highlighting a strong theme of resilience and shared understanding against a common oppressor.

Summary: "No Way Back" has received strong early critical reception, particularly from European film publications. It is praised for its psychologically nuanced portrayal of control and manipulation, driven by excellent performances from Bastien Bouillon and Zita Hanrot. Nathalie Najem's directorial debut is noted for its ability to build tension and explore complex themes without offering simplistic resolutions.

Reviews: Two Women Against One Man's Toxic Influence

Reviews detail the film's compelling plot, which intricately links two women through their shared experience with a manipulative man, showcasing their individual struggles and burgeoning solidarity.

• Plot Overview: The story centers on Laura (Zita Hanrot), a woman in her thirties living in Nice, who is trying to rebuild her life and raise her nine-year-old daughter, Lou (Maya Hirsbein), alone after escaping a tumultuous and toxic relationship with Joachim (Bastien Bouillon). Her past resurfaces when Shirine (Alexia Chardard), Joachim's new partner, shows up at Laura's door in distress after an accident, revealing that she is also under his harmful influence.

• The Invisible Cage of Control: The film explores the "invisible cage" of violence and manipulation that Joachim exerts over both women. For Shirine, it's a present, physical, and threatening stranglehold that escalates, leading her to try to escape. For Laura, it's the heavy psychological impact of the past that continues to weigh on her, despite her physical distance from Joachim.

• Mirroring and Shared Trauma: The narrative effectively uses the "mirror" of these two women's experiences to draw a "double portrait of control." They both know the perils of being entangled with a man "driven by torturous intentions and an unhappiness that radiates into lies and a desire for control and manipulation."

• Daughter's Perspective: Little Lou, Laura's daughter, observes the "tumultuous world of adults struggling with fear, wounds and ambivalence," adding another layer of emotional complexity to the story (Cineuropa).

• Themes of Escape and Rebuilding: The central theme is the arduous and complicated process of finding a "way out" from the psychological and emotional grip of an abusive relationship. The film portrays the difficulty of "denouncing someone we love despite everything or who we've loved isn't so easy."

• Psychological Thriller Elements: While a drama, the film incorporates "narrative accelerations in the realistic thriller register," creating suspense as Shirine's situation becomes more perilous and Laura's past resurfaces (Cineuropa).

Summary: "No Way Back" is reviewed as a powerful psychological drama that follows Laura, a woman rebuilding her life after a toxic relationship, whose past is reignited when her ex-partner's new girlfriend, Shirine, appears seeking help. The film intricately portrays the manipulative control exerted by one man over two women, showcasing their individual struggles and the slow, difficult process of finding solidarity and a path to freedom from his enduring influence.

Theatrical Release: July 23, 2025 (France)

"No Way Back" (Aux jours qui viennent) is set for a theatrical release in France on July 23, 2025, and in Belgium on July 30, 2025.

Why to Watch This Movie: A Deep Dive into Emotional Thriller

• Compelling Drama: If you are interested in a nuanced exploration of toxic relationships and their psychological aftermath.

• Strong Performances: The film features a talented cast, with Bastien Bouillon receiving early praise for his portrayal of the manipulative Joachim.

• Timely Social Relevance: It tackles themes of control, abuse, and the challenges of breaking free, which are highly relevant in contemporary discussions.

• Director's Debut: Support Nathalie Najem in her first feature film as a director, after a notable career as a screenwriter.

• European Cinema: For those who appreciate character-driven and psychologically rich European dramas.

Movie Trend: The Psychological Relationship Drama

"No Way Back" aligns with the growing trend of psychological relationship dramas, particularly those from European cinema, which delve into the dark complexities of intimate partnerships. These films often explore themes of emotional manipulation, power dynamics, and the long-term effects of control, moving beyond simple romantic narratives into the realm of character-driven thrillers. They prioritize nuanced performances and intricate psychological plotting over external action, appealing to audiences interested in the darker side of human connection and the journey of liberation from toxic bonds.

Social Trend: Awareness of Coercive Control and Narcissistic Abuse

The film directly taps into the significant social trend of increased awareness and public discourse around coercive control and narcissistic abuse within relationships. There is a growing understanding of how psychological manipulation, isolation, and subtle forms of control can be as damaging as physical violence. "No Way Back" dramatizes this complex reality, reflecting a societal push for recognizing these patterns, supporting victims, and discussing the often-difficult process of breaking free. The film contributes to the ongoing conversation about healthy boundaries, consent, and the hidden dynamics of interpersonal power.

Final Verdict: A Timely and Intense Debut on Control and Freedom

"No Way Back (2025)," Nathalie Najem's feature directorial debut, is a timely and intense French drama that offers a nuanced look at the insidious nature of toxic relationships and the journey towards liberation. Anchored by compelling performances from Zita Hanrot and Bastien Bouillon, the film meticulously portrays the psychological control exerted by a manipulative ex-partner and the unexpected alliance formed by two women determined to break free. Early critical reception praises its psychological realism and refusal to simplify complex themes. With its upcoming theatrical release in France, "No Way Back" is poised to be a significant addition to European cinema, appealing to audiences seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of human relationships and the pursuit of freedom.