Karaoké, Stéphane Ben Lahcene’s comedy starring Michèle Laroque and Claudia Tagbo, will air on TFX on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 9:10 p.m. The film teams a soprano and a housemaid around a singing contest.
Released in theaters in 2024, Karaoké follows Bénédicte, a renowned opera star whose career unravels after one too many drinks. While she’s navigating a tough patch, she meets Fatou, a housekeeper with a passion for karaoke who suggests they form a duo.
Fatou is chasing a clear objective: to compete in the national karaoke championship. She bets on Bénédicte’s vocal prowess to improve, while the opera singer discovers a musical and social world that’s far removed from the prestigious stages she had frequented until now.
Written and directed by Stéphane Ben Lahcene, the film centers on a meeting between two characters who seem to have nothing in common. Michèle Laroque plays the singer Bénédicte, while Claudia Tagbo portrays Fatou. The cast also features David Mora, Sébastien Chassagne, Jochen Hägele, and Victoria Monfort.
As they train for the championship, the comedy pits the world of opera against the pop culture of karaoke. The story also tackles second chances, friendship, and social prejudices, while placing the duo’s songs and performances at the center.
Our review of Karaoke:
The Stéphane Ben Lahcene film Karaoké is a refreshing breath of air in today’s cinematic landscape, deftly weaving the world of opera with the more popular realm of karaoke. At the heart of the comedy, Michèle Laroque plays a renowned opera soprano whose glittering career takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself sharing her art with “the people,” far from the prestigious stages that once made her name. This downward spiral, kicked off by a dismissal following a bout of drunken excess and ill-chosen words, marks the start of a humorous and transformative journey through rural France.
The movie shines with infectious energy and a moving honesty. The encounter between the diva and Fatou (Claudia Tagbo), a housekeeper with a passion for karaoke, yields pure comic gold, especially during their first disastrous duet on Aux Champs-Élysées, a perfect illustration of the clash between cultures and musical worlds. This dynamic gradually blossoms into a touching harmony, culminating in a memorable rendition of Dancing Queen at the national karaoke championship, proving that music is a universal language capable of transcending differences.
One of Karaoké's strongest assets is its flair for bending cinema’s formal codes to reinforce its message. Cinematography and a varied array of shots highlight the dual worlds the protagonists traverse, while the palette and lighting underscore the contrasts between opera’s luxury and the warm simplicity of karaoke nights. The performances are standout, with Michèle Laroque and Claudia Tagbo delivering vibrant, authentic portrayals; their on-screen rapport adds an extra dimension to their budding friendship.
Beyond the humor and emotion, Karaoké carries a subtle social commentary, probing the role of art in society and the gaze we cast on popular culture. The dialogue, peppered with sharp lines and moments of pure comedy, also serves this message, offering reflections on prejudice and social barriers.
Karaoké is a quintessential feel-good movie, using humor and music to tell stories of redemption, friendship, and art’s power to unite people. Michèle Laroque, already known for blending genres—such as in Tenor with MB14—confirms here her talent as a committed actress, deftly navigating between laughter and emotion with remarkable ease.
Karaoké is a touching, deeply human film that resonates both in content and form. It softly, but clearly, reminds us that art has no borders and that social labels are often ridiculous in the face of music’s unifying power. A joyous hymn to joy, music, and humanity—an invitation to indulge without moderation.
To go further, check out our picks of films, series, and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and today’s pick of what to watch on streaming What to watch today on streaming.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
