VASHON ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! The Balconettes, directed by Noémie Merlant, presents a bold, genre-blending horror-comedy that combines feminist empowerment, dark humor, and the supernatural to tell a story of intrigue and revenge, which unfolds behind the windows and doors of those living in the renowned seaside town of Marseille, France. Written by Merlant in collaboration with Céline Sciamma and Pauline Munier, and with assistance from Sanda Codreanu, Elise Costa, and Anna Belguermi, the film is steeped in the culture of its setting and is doing a lot. Does it succeed?
It is an extremely hot summer when a heat dome engulfs Marseille, trapping three women. There’s Nicole (Sanda Codreanu), an aspiring writer, Ruby (Souheila Yacoub), a sex-positive camgirl, and actress Élise (Noémie Merlant). As if they were summoned to come together by a higher force, the trio becomes entangled in a chaotic series of events after a drunken and deadly encounter with the attractive and sexy neighbor, Magnani (Lucas Bravo).
With each fascinating aspect of what defines French cinema unfolding throughout — unresolvable situations, erratic behavior, open-minded reality, and high volume emotional responses— Merlant uses her storytelling, wit, and bold characters to show what it means to be friends, confidantes, survivors, and free from sexual marginalization. The filmmaker permits expanding one’s interest in what is happening and allows intrinsic feelings and desires that have been buried or suppressed to rise to the surface, especially for women.
“…the trio becomes entangled in a chaotic series of events after a drunken and deadly encounter with the attractive and sexy neighbor…”
Heat and frustration are a violent combination, which impassions The Balconettes, and others, from a wife who cannot stand her abusive husband to Élise’s frustrations of marriage, where she is feeling stifled and contained, to Nicole’s writer’s block and Ruby’s free spirit that men try to break. While these women bond, dark and supernatural encounters are afoot. Admired from afar, Bravo, a charismatic yet manipulative photographer whose calculated behavior contrasts with the easy intimacy of the women’s friendship, will no longer be able to rape women. This brings a fury of behavior by all three women on how they must handle disposing of the body.
What makes this film stand apart is its thoughtful use of space and environment, where every element serves a purpose. However, the core of the film is a feminist message that enough is enough for women’s abuse, no matter age, color, body type, or profession. Through a variety of storylines from a professor, a husband, and a pleasure profession, the most chilling of all is Merlant’s horror and the walking dead who need to amend for their abuse. Additionally, several meaningful constructs enhance this message through comedic relief and photography. It’s layer upon layer of interest, with women who are fed up, and a side of humor, while living on the Mediterranean, which also contributes to the resolution and freedom the trio finds at the end.
The Balconettes is a foreign film with its values steeped in its culture, which should be understood on its own, not judged. What is clear in the overall message is that women worldwide have something to say about how they are being treated. Merlant makes this theme comedic yet scary. The film is fun-filled with great angles, set décor, acting, and timing.
The Balconettes screened at the 2025 Vashon Island Film Festival.
"…comedic yet scary."
