La Condition is a feature film by Jérôme Bonnell, who both wrote and directed the project. The cast includes Swann Arlaud, Galatea Bellugi, Louise Chevillotte, and Emmanuelle Devos. Adapted from Léonor de Récondo’s novel Amours, the film combines elements of dramedy with historical reenactment. It’s set to premiere in France on December 10, 2025, released by a team that has been collaborating with the director on his previous projects.
In 1908, Céleste is employed as a maid in the bourgeois household of Victoire and André. The story initially delves into her routine, marked by discretion and repetitive chores, before unveiling the private struggles of Victoire—a wife confined within a social role crafted for her. Within this closed space, the two women gradually forge an unexpected bond based on mutual attentiveness. The film focuses on the unspoken tensions that govern their coexistence and explores how each attempts to break free from a rigid social framework. Through their shared perspectives, the film reveals the cracks in a societal model rooted in strict roles, silences, and hierarchical structures.
As tensions rise, André embodies the societal pressures of a masculinity shaped by his era, caught between authority and vulnerability. The evolution of the trio drives the story forward, opening up discussions on desire, dominance, and impossible choices. Without spoiling the plot twists, the film delves into the burden of tradition and the struggle to assert individual freedom within a constrictive environment.
The film was shot on period-appropriate sets to recreate bourgeois interiors and the vertical division of social classes. Jérôme Bonnell describes the shoot as a claustrophobic experience, heightened by architecture that underscores power dynamics: staff in the basement, the family in the centre, and servants’ quarters at the very top. This spatial arrangement becomes a key dramatic element. Influenced by the richly detailed style of 19th-century novels, the director chose to craft a loosely adapted version—willing to "bend" the original story by introducing characters not present in the book to enrich the family’s interactions. The inclusion of actors like Emmanuelle Devos and François Chattot exemplifies this effort to broaden the social scope depicted in the film.
Jérôme Bonnell focuses intently on invisible violence and the way social norms shape relationships between men and women. By exploring the concept of masculine “good conscience” of the era, he aims to deepen his characters and steer clear of simplistic portrayals. Swann Arlaud delivers a performance rooted in restraint, delving into the complex ambiguity of a character caught within a broader social system. This approach aligns with the film’s themes, which are driven by questions of desire, the influence of religion, and the enduring power of cultural traditions passed down through generations.
With its restrained pacing, meticulous direction that focuses on subtle gestures and silences, and a universe filled with suppressed emotions, the film resonates with viewers who appreciate stories of personal growth and intimate historical dramas. It continues Bonnell’s exploration of close-knit relationships while also fitting into a tradition of chamber cinema, echoing approaches that emphasize *the unsaid* and the subtle social micro-aggressions.
The Condition
Film | 2025
Release in theaters: December 10, 2025
Dramatic comedy / Historical | Runtime: 1h43
Directed by Jérôme Bonnell | Starring Swann Arlaud, Galatea Bellugi, Louise Chevillotte, Emmanuelle Devos
Country: France
The Condition offers an immersive journey into early 20th-century France, weaving a story defined by societal pressure, confined spaces, and the nuanced power dynamics at play. The film chooses an intimate perspective to shed light on characters whose dreams clash with the rigid expectations of a world obsessed with appearances.
To extend your cinema experience, check out December's new releases, films to see right now, and our selection of historical films of the year.
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