Three Friends (2024) by Emmanuel Mouret

“Three Friends” (2024) is a 117-minute French comedy-drama-romance film directed by Emmanuel Mouret. The film explores the intricate and shifting dynamics of love and friendship among three individuals, set against a backdrop of romantic and emotional entanglements.

Joan’s affection for her partner Victor begins to wane. Simultaneously, Joan’s friend Alice offers reassurance regarding Alice’s own unsatisfying relationship with Eric. Unbeknownst to Alice, Eric is secretly involved with Rebecca, adding a layer of hidden complexity. The intertwined lives of these three friends take a dramatic turn when Joan decides to leave Victor. Following their separation, Victor disappears, setting off a chain of events that further complicates their relationships and explores the fallout of fading love and hidden connections. The narrative unfolds to reveal the emotional consequences of these shifting affections and secrets among the three friends.

Emmanuel Mouret directs “Three Friends” with a vision focused on the nuanced exploration of human relationships, a hallmark of his filmmaking style. As the co-screenwriter, Mouret likely aimed to craft a character-driven narrative that delves into the complexities of love, friendship, and desire with intellectual and emotional depth. His directorial approach probably emphasizes naturalistic performances, articulate dialogue, and a sophisticated understanding of human emotions and motivations. Mouret’s vision is likely to create a film that is both witty and poignant, inviting audiences to reflect on the delicate balance of relationships and the often unpredictable nature of love and connection.

• Fading Love and Shifting Affections: A central theme is the impermanence of love and how romantic feelings can fade over time. The film explores the emotional impact of waning love in Joan and Victor’s relationship and the ripple effects it has on their circle.

• Unfulfilling Relationships: The film examines relationships that are characterized by dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment, as seen in Alice’s relationship with Eric. It delves into why people stay in unfulfilling partnerships and the emotional toll it takes.

• Secrecy and Betrayal: Eric’s secret involvement with Rebecca introduces themes of secrecy and betrayal within friendships and romantic relationships. The film likely explores the impact of hidden affairs and the damage caused by deception.

• Friendship as Support and Complication: Friendship is portrayed as both a source of support, as Alice reassures Joan, and a source of complication, as secrets and romantic entanglements intertwine the friends’ lives. The film examines the dual nature of friendship in navigating romantic challenges.

• Disappearance and Uncertainty: Victor’s disappearance after Joan leaves him introduces an element of mystery and uncertainty, amplifying the emotional turmoil and raising questions about responsibility and the unknown consequences of relationship decisions.

• Interconnectedness of Lives: The film highlights how the romantic and emotional choices of individuals are interconnected, creating a ripple effect that impacts the lives of friends and partners in unforeseen ways.

• Intelligent and Witty Script: Emmanuel Mouret’s films are known for their sharp and insightful writing. A script that balances wit with emotional depth is crucial for the film’s success.

• Nuanced and Naturalistic Performances: Performances that capture the subtle emotions and complexities of the characters are essential to convey the film’s thematic depth and realism.

• Sophisticated Exploration of Relationships: The film’s ability to offer a sophisticated and nuanced exploration of love, friendship, and betrayal will be a key factor in its critical and audience reception.

• Emmanuel Mouret’s Auteur Style: Mouret’s distinctive directorial style, characterized by dialogue-driven narratives and focus on human emotions, is a significant draw for his established audience.

• Balance of Comedy, Drama, and Romance: Effectively blending elements of comedy, drama, and romance will be crucial to create an engaging and emotionally resonant viewing experience.

“Three Friends” (2024), directed by Emmanuel Mouret, is a comedy-drama-romance film about Joan, Alice, Victor, and Eric, whose lives become entangled by fading love, unfulfilling relationships, secret affairs, and the unexpected disappearance of Victor after Joan leaves him.

“Three Friends” has received 4 nominations:

• Göteborg Film Festival 2025: Dragon Award – International Competition (Nominated – Emmanuel Mouret)

• Gijón International Film Festival 2024: Albar – Best Film (Nominated – Emmanuel Mouret)

• Hainan International Film Festival 2024: Golden Coconut – Best Feature Film (Nominated – Emmanuel Mouret)

• Venice Film Festival 2024: Golden Lion – Best Film (Nominated)

Critics’ reception for “Three Friends” (2024) is currently developing, but early indications suggest a generally positive, though not overwhelmingly enthusiastic, response, typical for Emmanuel Mouret’s style of relationship-driven films.

• Metacritic: As of March 1, 2025, “Three Friends” has a Metascore of 63 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 7 critic reviews, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” This score suggests that a majority of critics have found the film to be well-made and engaging, though perhaps not a critical standout. Metacritic

• Overall Summary: The initial Metacritic score and the general nature of Emmanuel Mouret’s films suggest that “Three Friends” is likely being received as a sophisticated, well-acted, and intelligently written relationship drama, consistent with Mouret’s established style. Critics likely appreciate its nuanced exploration of human emotions and intricate dialogues, but it may not be generating widespread critical fervor. As more reviews accumulate, especially from broader publications, a more comprehensive summary will be possible. For now, the reception appears to be leaning towards favorable, acknowledging its strengths within the genre of French relationship dramas.

Summary of Online Reviews

Online reviews for “Three Friends” (2024) indicate a generally positive reception, highlighting its strengths in dialogue, performances, and nuanced exploration of relationships, consistent with director Emmanuel Mouret’s style. However, some reviews suggest it might not be a standout film, resulting in a moderately positive overall consensus.

Key Points from Online Reviews:

• Variety: Jessica Kiang in Variety notes that while “Three Friends” is undeniably an Emmanuel Mouret film, possessing his signature “bouillon of garrulous, literate, sex-positive, emotionally articulate chamber dramedy,” it feels less substantial compared to his previous works. She praises the film’s visual appeal, particularly Laurent Desmet’s cinematography, and the performances of the lead actresses, but suggests the male characters and narrative structure are weaker. Kiang concludes that while the film is “never less than pleasant,” it lacks the “zing” of Mouret’s best films and might be “too polite” for its own good.

• Screen Daily: Jonathan Romney in Screen Daily describes “Three Friends” as a “pleasingly airy, elegantly constructed roundelay of love and friendship.” He notes the film’s “lightness of touch” and “graceful, articulate wit,” typical of Mouret’s style. Romney praises the performances, especially Virginie Efira and Chiara Mastroianni, and highlights the film’s exploration of “emotional and erotic permutations” with “intelligence and charm.” While acknowledging it may not be Mouret’s most groundbreaking work, Romney concludes it is “thoroughly enjoyable and satisfyingly substantial.”

• The Film Verdict: Jamie Graham from The Film Verdict gives the film a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. His review likely aligns with the general sentiment of being moderately positive, acknowledging the film’s merits but perhaps pointing out areas where it falls short of being exceptional.

As of February 27, 2025, “Three Friends” has grossed approximately $2,036,592 worldwide. 

“Three Friends” (2024) is directed and co-written by Emmanuel Mouret, with Carmen Leroi as co-screenwriter. Frédéric Niedermayer produced the film, with music composed by Benjamin Esdraffo, cinematography by Laurent Desmet, and editing by Martial Salomon. The film is a French production involving multiple production and co-production companies, reflecting typical European film financing models.

• Moby Dick Films

• Arte France Cinéma

• Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Cinéma

• Ciné+

• Cofinova 20

• Arte France

• Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC)

• Orange Cinéma Séries Orange Cinéma Séries

• Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

• Pyramide Distribution

• Camera Film (Denmark – Theatrical) Camera Film

• DCM Film Distribution

• La Aventura Audiovisual (Spain – Theatrical)

• Lucky Red

• Madman Entertainment (Australia – Theatrical, New Zealand – Theatrical)

• Panda Lichtspiele Filmverleih (Austria – Theatrical)

• Spentzos Films (Greece – Theatrical)

• Vértigo Films (Spain – Theatrical)

• Future Film (Finland – All media)

• K Films Amerique (Canada – All media – Québec French speaking territory).

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Emmanuel Mouret’s Signature Style: For admirers of Emmanuel Mouret’s sophisticated and dialogue-rich films exploring the complexities of relationships, this movie is a must-see.

• Intelligent and Witty Romantic Drama: Offers a blend of comedy, drama, and romance with a focus on intelligent dialogue and nuanced character interactions.

• Exploration of Universal Themes: Delves into relatable themes of love, friendship, infidelity, and emotional uncertainty in modern relationships.

• European Cinema Quality: Represents high-quality French cinema with strong production values and thoughtful storytelling.

• Festival Recognition: Nominated for prestigious awards, indicating critical recognition and artistic merit.

Why You Should Watch Movie

• If you are a fan of French romantic dramas: Especially those that are character-driven and dialogue-heavy.

• If you enjoy films that explore complex relationships: “Three Friends” delves into the nuances of love, friendship, and betrayal.

• If you appreciate intelligent and witty dialogue: Emmanuel Mouret’s films are known for their articulate and insightful conversations.

• If you are looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant movie: The film is likely to offer both intellectual stimulation and emotional engagement.

• If you enjoy European art-house cinema: “Three Friends” represents contemporary French filmmaking at its finest.

What Movie Trend Film Is Following

• Sophisticated European Relationship Drama: “Three Friends” aligns with the trend of sophisticated, character-driven European dramas that explore the intricacies of human relationships with intelligence and wit.

• Auteur-Driven French Cinema: As a film directed by Emmanuel Mouret, it is part of the ongoing trend of auteur-driven French cinema, where directors with distinctive styles create personal and thematically rich works.

• Festival-Circuit to Wider Release: The film’s journey from film festivals like Venice to wider theatrical release is a common trend for independent and art-house films seeking both critical acclaim and broader audiences.

What Big Social Trend Is Following

• Continued Interest in Relationship Dynamics: The film taps into a persistent social interest in understanding the complexities of modern relationships, including the challenges of love, commitment, and friendship in contemporary life.

• Appreciation for Nuance and Subtlety: In a media landscape often dominated by spectacle, “Three Friends” reflects a social trend of valuing nuance, subtlety, and intelligent storytelling in cinema, appealing to audiences seeking more than just surface-level entertainment.

• Global Consumption of European Cinema: The film’s international distribution reflects the ongoing social trend of global audiences engaging with European cinema through theatrical releases and streaming platforms, driven by interest in diverse cultural perspectives and sophisticated storytelling.

“Three Friends” (2024) by Emmanuel Mouret is a highly anticipated French comedy-drama-romance that promises a sophisticated and nuanced exploration of love, friendship, and human relationships, characteristic of Mouret’s acclaimed filmography. Its strengths lie in its intelligent script, character-driven narrative, potential for witty dialogue, and exploration of universal themes. Highly recommended for viewers who appreciate European art-house cinema, character-focused dramas, and films that offer both intellectual and emotional depth. As it gains wider release and critical reviews emerge, “Three Friends” is poised to be a significant entry in contemporary French cinema, appealing to audiences seeking thoughtful and engaging relationship-based stories.