Swimming Pool
Performance & Direction: Swimming Pool Review
Last updated: February 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Swimming Pool (2003) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Swimming Pool features a noteworthy lineup led by Charlotte Rampling . Supported by the likes of Ludivine Sagnier and Charles Dance , 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: Swimming Pool
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2003, Swimming Pool is a Crime, Thriller film directed by François Ozon. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Charlotte Rampling.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A British crime novelist travels to her publisher's upmarket summer house in Southern France to seek solitude in order to work on her next book. However, the unexpected arrival of the publisher's daughter induces complications and a subsequent crime. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Charlotte Rampling's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Swimming Pool
Ending Breakdown: Directed by François Ozon, Swimming Pool concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Charlotte Rampling, 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 crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Swimming Pool reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Swimming Pool Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Swimming Pool incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, thriller film directed by François Ozon, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Charlotte Rampling's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Swimming Pool adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Swimming Pool?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Charlotte Rampling or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Swimming Pool
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.8M |
| Worldwide Gross | $22.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Swimming Pool Budget
The estimated production budget for Swimming Pool is $7.8M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Swimming Pool
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Swimming Pool Online?
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YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeSwimming Pool Parents Guide & Age Rating
2003 AdvisoryWondering about Swimming Pool age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Swimming Pool is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, Swimming Pool is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2003 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swimming Pool worth watching?
Swimming Pool is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Swimming Pool parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Swimming Pool identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Swimming Pool?
The total duration of Swimming Pool is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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Critic Reviews for Swimming Pool
_**Engaging psychological drama with Ludivine Sagnier and Charlotte Rampling**_ "Swimming Pool" (2003) is a drama/psychological thriller about a popular English novelist named, Sarah (Charlotte Rampling), who vacations at her publisher's villa in France to find inspiration for her next book. Unfortunately, the publisher's oversexed daughter, Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), visits and disrupts her activities. If you remember 70s' films like "Orca" and "Zardoz" you'll know that Rampling was stunning in her physical prime in a looks-that-kill way. In "Swimming Pool" she's still in decent shape for a woman verging on 60, but her character's a joyless biyatch desperately seeking inspiration. Julie, by contrast, is young, friendly and overflowing with sexuality, but – like Sarah – she's not a pushover in the least. Sagnier shines as the wild child French hottie. There's just something about the female French accent that's a turn-on. Despite her sexiness, it's clear in some scenes that Julie's actually sort of plain in a girl-next-door kind of way. It's what she does with what she's got that makes her stunning. Like 2005's "Match Point," "Swimming Pool" is the antithesis of the modern 'blockbuster' and all its moronic trappings -- there's no quick editing, no CGI, no goofy one-liners, no explosions and no promise of $400 million at the box office. No, "Swimming Pool" is movie-making based simply on excellent writing and cinematic storytelling. The end is a revelation to the viewer even if you were expecting it, particularly because, if you research it, it's way more than even that, believe it or not. It's amazing how good writing & storytelling can create a 'Wow' reaction more so than the most elaborate overkill action sequence with all its requisite CGI and explosions. The film runs 102 minutes and was shot in Luberon, Vaucluse, France, and London. GRADE: A- ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read further if you haven't seen the film) The obvious interpretation is that Julie isn't real, but rather a character created by Sarah for her next book whereas Julia is the publisher's real daughter, revealed at the end. People who draw this conclusion, like me on my first two viewings, are on the right track, but this interpretation is only accurate to a point. For details see the thread on the MovieChat message board "The Definitive Answer / Color-Key to Swimming Pool."
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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.
