Respire, the drama directed by Mélanie Laurent, is airing on France 4 on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 9 p.m. Adapted from Anne-Sophie Brasme’s novel, the film follows two teenage friends whose intense bond gradually turns into a controlling relationship. Joséphine Japy and Lou de Laâge play the two lead roles.
Charlie is 17 and leads a relatively low-key life when she meets Sarah, a new, charismatic, self-assured student. Fascinated by her personality and backstory, Charlie quickly draws closer to her. The two girls become inseparable, sharing confidences, parties, and vacations spent together.
The bond, however, begins to crack as Sarah alternates moments of affection with humiliations and abrupt mood swings. Charlie pulls away from her other friends and finds herself entangled in an unhealthy, unbalanced dynamic, unable to grasp why the person she considers her best friend now seems determined to destabilize her.
For her second feature as a director, following Les Adoptés, Mélanie Laurent collaborates with Julien Lambroschini to adapt Anne-Sophie Brasme’s 2001 novel Respire. The film explores adolescence through the dynamics of fascination, control, and emotional dependence, while largely staying anchored in Charlie’s perspective.
Presented during the Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014, Respire also brings together Isabelle Carré, Claire Keim, Roxane Duran, and Carole Franck. The performances by Joséphine Japy and Lou de Laâge earned them César nominations for Best New Actress in 2015.
To go further, also check out our picks for films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to new releases across all platforms, and today’s streaming picks of what to watch.
