Directed by Martin Bourboulon and written by Guillaume Clicquot and Jérôme Fansten, Papa ou maman stars Marina Foïs and Laurent Lafitte in a French comedy released in 2015. After airing on M6 on March 7, 2025, and being available on Netflix, the film will be available on HBO Maxstarting December 22, 2025.
In this dark comedy, Florence and Vincent Leroy, a married couple with three children, have it all. Until the day they decide to divorce and wage an all-out war to avoid getting custody of their children. A complete reversal of roles that leads to situations that are both absurd and funny.
The sharp dialogue and fast pace convey a satire of modern couples. The film features two responsible adults who become immature due to ambition, in a marital rivalry that is turned into a laughing stock.
Filming took place in Normandy, notably in Varengeville-sur-Mer, Pourville, and Dieppe, where the town hall served as the setting for several scenes. The film marks the feature film debut of Martin Bourboulon, a former advertising executive who has worked in television and short films. The original idea of a couple fighting not to have custody of their children immediately appealed to the director.
The project was first offered to Gilles Lellouche for the male lead role, before being given to Laurent Lafitte. The dialogue left room for some improvisation, reinforcing the natural dynamic between the two actors, who have been friends since they were 17. The script is partly inspired by real-life family situations and was tested on children to validate the humor.
With its irreverent tone and dark humor, the film is aimed at fans of biting comedies and satires of family life. It turns the conventions of divorce on their head and offers an ironic look at the contradictions of modern couples.
Papa ou maman
Film | 2015
On HBO Max December 22, 2025
Comedy | Running time: 1 hour 25 minutes
By Martin Bourboulon | Starring Marina Foïs, Laurent Lafitte, Alexandre Desrousseaux
Nationality: France
An iconic work in the revival of French comedy, Papa ou maman continues to charm audiences with its offbeat take on couples and parenthood, now available to a new audience on Disney+.
To go further, check out our selection of new HBO Max releases for December, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and today's selection of What to Watch Today on Streaming.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
