Released in cinemas on February 12, 2020, The Girl with the Bracelet is a legal drama written and directed by Stéphane Demoustier. Led by performances from Melissa Guers, Chiara Mastroianni, and Roschdy Zem, the film left a lasting impression in 2020. It will be airing on France 3 on Monday, March 2, 2026. Inspired by the Argentine film Acusada, this movie adapts in France the story of a high-profile trial focused on a teenage girl accused of murder.
Lise is 18 years old. A quiet student living in an unremarkable residential neighborhood, she has just graduated from high school. Yet, for the past two years, she has been wearing an electronic bracelet: she’s accused of killing her best friend. As her trial begins, her once private life is thrown into the spotlight. The film explores the perspective of those around her, watching parents, judges, and jurors grapple with understanding a personality that remains elusive to them.
As the screenings progress, conversations swirl, certainties waver, and silence speaks volumes. Lise, unmoved, keeps the mystery alive. The story hinges on uncertainty and the challenge of understanding the actions of a youth often seen as elusive by adults. The trial serves as a mirror to intergenerational and family tensions, without offering clear-cut answers.
To develop his screenplay, Stéphane Demoustier attended several trials, including at the Bobigny courthouse, to ground his story in a believable reality. The script was reviewed by judges and lawyers to ensure accuracy. Filming took place at Nantes courthouse, with the approval of the justice department, to provide an authentic setting. Some extras, unaware of the full plot, learned about the case only as the scenes unfolded, adding to the sense of unpredictability that the director aimed to create.
The leading role marks Melissa Guers' debut in cinema, having been cast through a social media-driven audition process. Standing alongside her are Roschdy Zem and Chiara Mastroianni, who portray parents grappling with the differences of their own child. Anaïs Demoustier takes on the role of the prosecutor, while the presiding judge is played by lawyer Pascal-Pierre Garbarini. The film has received the 2021 César Award for Best Adaptation and the Lumière Award for Best Screenplay, and was also nominated for Best Female Hope.
Rooted in the classic courtroom drama tradition, the film features minimalist staging and static shots that emphasize dialogue and storytelling. It appeals to fans of legal dramas and viewers who enjoy social observation narratives, in a vein reminiscent of contemporary French films that focus on personal introspection and uncertainty.
The Girl with the Bracelet
Movie | 2020
Release in cinemas on February 12, 2020
TV broadcast on France 3 on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 9:10 PM
Genre: Drama, Courtroom | Duration: 1h36
Directed by Stéphane Demoustier | Starring Melissa Guers, Roschdy Zem, Chiara Mastroianni
Original title: La Fille au bracelet
Country: France
Through an in-depth courtroom examination, Stéphane Demoustier explores how society perceives youth and the fragile nature of family certainties. Blending an intimate personal story with a rigorous legal perspective, the film offers a compelling look at doubt and the complexities of interpreting the truth.
To explore more, check out our curated list of must-watch movies, series, and shows on TV this week, our guide to latest releases across all streaming platforms, and today's top picks for what to stream today.
