In many ways, Adèle Exarchopoulos represents the best of modern French cinema. For more than a decade, the 32-year-old actress—and Vogue France cover star—has lit up the screen: after breaking through in 2013 with Blue Is the Warmest Colour, the controversial Cannes sensation that earned her the César Award for most promising actress, she has steadily carved out a career defined by bold, eclectic performances united by one unmistakable quality: emotional intensity.
And intensity suits Exarchopoulos remarkably well. Captivating, electrifying, and utterly compelling, her performances embody a confidence that makes you believe in the vitality of modern filmmaking. Below, a selection of the films that, in our view, have defined the remarkable career of one of France’s finest actresses in the years since Blue Is the Warmest Colour.
Sibyl (Justine Triet, 2019)
One of the most talked-about films at Cannes in 2019, Sibyl featured a standout performance by Exarchopoulos under the direction of Justine Triet, who would later win the Palme d’Or for Anatomy of a Fall. A psychological thriller layered with romantic drama, the film stars Virginie Efira as Sibyl, a psychotherapist and former novelist who abandons most of her patients to rediscover her creative voice. Her plans are interrupted when Margot, a distressed young actress played by Exarchopoulos, begs to become her patient. As Sibyl becomes increasingly fascinated by Margot’s story, she begins secretly recording their sessions.
