When autumn approaches: thriller about toxic family ties!

When autumn approaches: thriller about toxic family ties!

On August 27, 2025, a special film preview is on the program at the Astra Theater in Mülheim: the new thriller “When Autumn Approaches”, directed by François Ozon. The film takes us to a picturesque village in Burgundy and highlights the complex relationships between generations, particularly between a mother and her daughter. The language of the film is French with subtitles, which gives the whole thing an authentic touch.

The central character is Michelle, an 80-year-old woman who is enjoying her retirement until a tragic incident turns her world upside down. At a family dinner, she accidentally serves her daughter Valérie poisonous mushrooms, which leads to a dramatic escalation between the two. Valérie, played by Ludivine Sagnier, makes serious accusations against Michelle and accuses her of murderous intentions, which ultimately leads to a break in contact between Michelle and her grandson Lucas.

The tension

The plot, which captivates viewers over 102 minutes, not only addresses misunderstandings and prejudices, but also shows the fragility of human relationships. Michelle falls into a deep depression and struggles with isolation, while the lives of her friend Marie-Claude and her son Vincent, who has just been released from prison, bring a new dynamic into Michelle's existence.

With his direction, Ozon depicts the nuances in interpersonal relationships and leaves enough room for interpretation. The film shows how prejudices shape society's perception of older people. “When Autumn Approaches” has already been presented at the 2024 San Sebastian International Film Festival and received awards for best screenplay and best supporting role for Pierre Lottin. These successes make us curious about the upcoming cinema release, which is planned for August 28, 2025 in Germany.

A top-class ensemble

The actresses Hélène Vincent, known from “Three Colors: Blue”, and Josiane Balasko, known from “Die Sch’tis”, bring a lot of life to the characters and impressively capture the emotions of the story. Ludivine Sagnier, who we know from “Lupin,” plays the daughter Valérie. Newcomer Garlan Erlos, who plays Lucas, is also making a name for himself with his debut role.

This preview on August 27th offers film fans in the region the opportunity to take a first look at one of the most exciting films of the year. Anticipation is already high, and the film could not only warm viewers' hearts, but also spark deep conversations about family relationships.

For more information, visit the Website Mülheim or take a look at Kino.de and NDR.