Paris becomes a stage for temptation in French Lover, where passion collides with danger under the city lights. Starring Omar Sy – one of France’s most magnetic actors – and Sara Giraudeau, the film is a modern romance that dares to blur the line between swoon and heartbreak. Shot across grand boulevards and hidden theaters, it wraps its forbidden affair in the city’s intoxicating glow. Behind the camera, debut director Nina Rives works with writers Hugo Gélin and Noémie Saglio to bring a love story that feels both timeless and daring to Netflix. With its mix of celebrity allure and emotional risk, it promises a love story as intoxicating as the city itself. Here is everything you need to know about French Lover – from the plot and cast to reviews and release date (trailer at the end of the article.)
All the key details about French Lover
- Title: French Lover
- Original title: French Lover
- Format: Film
- Length: 122 minutes
- Genre: Romantic comedy / romantic drama
- Country of production: France
- Original language: French
- Year of release: 2025
- Director: Nina Rives
- Writers: Hugo Gélin, Nina Rives, Noémie Saglio
- Main cast: Omar Sy, Sara Giraudeau, Alban Ivanov, Pascale Arbillot
- Produced by: Netflix; Zazi Films; Federation Studio France; Korokoro Productions; Umedia
What happens in French Lover?
When a jaded A-list actor, Abel Camara, crosses paths with Marion, a down-on-her-luck Parisian waitress, an unexpected connection sparks – irresistible, intoxicating, and perilously public. The film frames their secret romance against a city that both shelters and exposes, asking whether a love born in the glow of fame can survive once the cameras turn.
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Rather than chasing fairy-tale beats, the story leans into ambiguity: the compromises of adulthood, the gravitational pull of desire, and the reputational cost of being seen. Light comedic grace notes keep the tone buoyant even as the stakes rise, making this less a swoony postcard and more a messy, modern negotiation with love.
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Who’s in the cast of French Lover?
From global hits to Parisian passion… Omar Sy is back on Netflix. In French Lover (coming up this week), he takes the lead in a daring modern romance set against the City of Light. Between charm, danger, and forbidden love, Sy proves once again why he’s one of the most magnetic actors on screen.
At the heart of French Lover is Omar Sy as Abel Camara, a celebrated actor whose public persona hides a private restlessness, with a mix of swagger and fragility. Known worldwide for Lupin and The Intouchables, Sy steps into a role that blends his trademark charisma with a more dangerous, vulnerable edge. Opposite him is Sara Giraudeau (The Bureau) as Marion, a Parisian waitress whose quiet resilience collides with Abel’s glittering world.
The supporting ensemble includes Alban Ivanov and Pascale Arbillot, with extended roles for Cindy Bruna, Agnès Hurstel, Xavier Lacaille, Amaury de Crayencour, Isabelle Candelier and Antoine Chappey.
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Is French Lover based on a true story?
No, it’s an original screenplay by Hugo Gélin, Nina Rives and Noémie Saglio. That said, the film knowingly plays with the century-old archetype of the “French lover,” updating it for a cosmopolitan, social-media-aware Paris and folding in celebrity culture as both aphrodisiac and hazard.
What are the reviews on French Lover?
At press time, the film’s scorecards are still populating, but early capsule write-ups and trailers point to a “sweet, star-driven rom-com” with lush Paris photography and an unhurried pace. Expect chemistry-forward scenes between Sy and Giraudeau, plus a playful industry backdrop that nudges the story beyond standard meet-cute territory.
Where was French Lover filmed?
Production unfolded in and around Paris, spotlighting Boulevard Malesherbes, the iconic Grand Rex cinema, and the historic Salle Favart (Opéra-Comique). Beyond the capital, the team ventured to the regal Château de Chantilly and leafy Meudon in Hauts-de-Seine – locations that give the film a lived-in, not-just-postcard texture.
French Lover: Behind the scenes and fun facts
- Feature debut: Nina Rives makes her first feature after years in the industry; she also co-writes with Gélin and Saglio.
- Runtime & tone: The 2h02 cut leans into character beats and Parisian atmosphere, balancing rom-com wit with grown-up stakes.
- Companies: A France-rooted production backed by Zazi Films, Federation Studio France, Korokoro and partners including Umedia.
What’s French Lover like?
If you enjoyed the urbane charm of Notting Hill but want it filtered through contemporary Paris, this is your lane —-a star-power romance with industry satire and a city that behaves like a third lead. For mood-rich European drama-romances, think the intimacy of French cinema with Netflix’s global accessibility.
When is French Lover coming out on streaming?
Available now. French Lover is already streaming on Netflix. Release date: September 26, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
In the meantime, here’s the trailer.
