Paul Verhoeven and controversy go hand-in-hand, but it was a bit surprising that his latest, “Elle,” didn’t receive any boos at the Cannes Film Festival this spring. Tackling the thorny subjects of rape, revenge, and placing the subjects the in the realm of a black comedy seems like a recipe for a heated response. But alas, the film was actually mostly well received, even as provocative as it is, with the conversation about the lead performance by Isabelle Huppert spurring Oscar talk. And as the film gears up to hit TIFF, NYFF, and AFI Fest, a new trailer has leaded.
Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virgine Aefira, Judith Magre, Christian Berkel, Jonas Bloquet, Alice Isaaz, and Vimila Pons all co-star in the movie about a woman who is violently assaulted in her home, and how it affects her afterwards. Here’s the official synopsis:
Michèle seems indestructible. Head of a leading video game company, she brings the same ruthless attitude to her love life as to business. Being attacked in her home by an unknown assailant changes Michèle’s life forever. When she resolutely tracks the man down, they are both drawn into a curious and thrilling game—a game that may, at any moment, spiral out of control.
“Elle” opens on November 11th.