'Gentle Monster' Brings Marie Kreutzer's Family Drama to Theaters
Gentle Monster, a family drama directed by Marie Kreutzer, is now playing in theaters. The Associated Press's fall movie guide lists it as a Netflix release that is also showing in theaters. The film stars Léa Seydoux, Catherine Deneuve and Laurence Rupp.
Seydoux plays Lucy, a popular avant-garde musician who makes experimental versions of well-known songs. Rupp plays Philip. Malo Blanchet plays Johnny, and Deneuve plays Lucy's mother. Jella Haase plays Elsa Kuhn, a police officer. ABC News describes these roles in its review of the film.
The story includes a police investigation. According to ABC News, officers take Philip's computer and hard drives as part of an inquiry into online forums related to child sexual abuse images. The film handles this material as part of a larger story about a family, and the subject is serious. It is not a light watch.
Variety called the movie a harrowing end-of-family drama. In its May review, the trade publication wrote that the film shows a family falling apart under circumstances that wipe out trust among its members.
The film runs 114 minutes. The Toronto International Film Festival lists it as a Canadian premiere, and says the dialogue is in German, English and French. Three languages mean subtitles will matter for many viewers, so check the showtime format before you buy tickets.
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists has named Gentle Monster its Movie of the Week for October 30, 2026. That honor comes from a group of critics and does not reflect box office or a studio announcement.
For anyone deciding whether to watch, the short version is this. It is a dark, slow-building family story with a strong cast, and it deals with difficult subjects. Read the reviews, and know what you are signing up for before the lights go down.
