French Exit
Performance & Direction: French Exit Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is French Exit (2021) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and French Exit features a noteworthy lineup led by Michelle Pfeiffer . Supported by the likes of Lucas Hedges and Tracy Letts , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: French Exit
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2021, French Exit is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Azazel Jacobs. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Michelle Pfeiffer.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. “My plan was to die before the money ran out,” says 60-year-old penniless Manhattan socialite Frances Price, but things didn’t go as planned. Her husband Franklin has been dead for 12 years and with his vast inheritance gone, she cashes in the last of her possessions and resolves to live out her twilight days anonymously in a borrowed apartment in Paris, accompanied by her directionless son Malcolm and a cat named Small Frank—who may or may not embody the spirit of Frances’s dead husband. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: French Exit
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Azazel Jacobs, French Exit attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Michelle Pfeiffer, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of French Exit reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch French Exit?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: French Exit
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch French Exit Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFrench Exit Parents Guide & Age Rating
2021 AdvisoryWondering about French Exit age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of French Exit is 113 minutes (1h 53m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, French Exit is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2021 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is French Exit worth watching?
French Exit is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find French Exit parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for French Exit identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of French Exit?
The total duration of French Exit is 113 minutes, which is approximately 1h 53m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked French Exit
How French Exit Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for French Exit
I really can't do justice to just how thoroughly entertaining a film 'French Exit' is. It had me roaring and cackling with laughter, totally enchanted by its irreverence and good humour. You feel as if you're watching a great piece of classic theatre, where silly rich white people bumble around in fancy rooms, unaware that they're revealing, with their silly irrelevant lives, just how strange and beautiful life and love and sadness and happiness can be. Michelle Pfeiffer's tremendous central performance, full of camp and acid and sadness, would be enough of a reason to see 'French Exit', but it's all the more rewarding for how complete an experience it is. The ridiculous and the surreal are employed for the purpose for which they are always at their best - to make us laugh at how silly life can be, and sigh at the truth that, no matter what, we want to keep living regardless. - Daniel Lammin Read Daniel's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-french-exit-a-farcical-and-ridiculous-delight
If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com I find surreal comedy one of the most challenging subgenres to appreciate. In my experience, the humor must be pitch-perfect in order for me to actually laugh throughout the runtime of a purposefully absurd film. In addition to this, I need to feel some sort of connection with the protagonist(s). Otherwise, I'll struggle to truly enjoy the fun inside all the chaos. I've never seen a movie by Azazel Jacobs (The Lovers, Terri), who brings the same screenwriter of the latter film, Patrick deWitt. Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a phenomenal performance, showing tremendous emotional range and an acting experience that allows her to seamlessly navigate any script thrown at her. Ultimately, Pfeiffer proves that she still has what it takes to lead the biggest movies of each year. Unfortunately, I found French Exit an incredibly tough film to enjoy. From the remaining disappointing performances - Lucas Hedges is frustratingly annoying in this role - to the lack of interest in the overall narrative, it's one of those movies that either the viewers connect with immediately, or it's not going to be an easy watch. Surreal comedy implies a nonsensical screenplay, which might trigger some people to dislike it from the get-go. It's an extremely specific type of humor that doesn't usually reach big groups of people. Azazel Jacobs brings Patrick deWitt's screenplay to the screen with remarkable commitment, but in the end, it's a slow, stretched-out film with not that many laughs to offer. Rating: C-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Michelle Pfeiffer
