The premise of Last Summer feels ripped out of a clickbait news headline: a lawyer who defends survivors of sexual abuse initiates an affair with her teenage stepson. But don’t let that description set the wrong expectations. Director Catherine Breillat sidesteps melodrama and sensationalism in favour of a nuanced portrayal of abuse. Her approach is both sensitive and unflinching, she presents a story that invites empathy for its protagonist without excusing her actions. It’s a delicate balancing act. One falter and it would fall apart, but Breillat has such a firm grasp of the material that it never veers into exploitative territory.

The story follows Anne (Léa Drucker), who appears to lead a picture-perfect life with her husband, Pierre (Olivier Rabourdin), in their home outside Paris. This tranquillity is disrupted when Theo (Samuel Kircher), Pierre’s 17-year-old son from a previous marriage, moves in. What begins as a dreamy summer hangout gradually shifts into disturbing territory as Anne finds herself drawn to Theo.

While Catherine Breillat has been labelled a provocateur in the past, Last Summer is not about shock value. Rather, it’s a deeply revealing character study. It’s an uncomfortable experience, especially when the film begins to resemble something closer to a psychological thriller, but those who engage with its challenging themes may find it deeply rewarding.

Rating: 4/5

For those who liked: The Celebration, May December, Call Me By Your Name. In select theatres on 5 September.

France | 104 mins | MA15+