Music Box Films has picked up U.S. rights for Just the Two of Us, a French psychodrama from Queen of Hearts director Valérie Donzelli starring Benedetta and Elle actress Virginie Efira as a woman terrorized by her seemingly ideal husband (a chilling Melvil Poupaud).
Just the Two Of Us was well received after its premiere in Cannes last year, where the combination of the film’s “sleeping with the enemy” premise and the draw of Efira and the film’s co-writer Audrey Diwan, director of 2021 Venice Golden Lion winner Happening, made it seem like an ideal arthouse crossover. It was a bit of surprise that sales agent Goodfellas took so long to seal a domestic deal (THR picked the movie as one of it “best unsold films of 2023″).
Music Box will be looking to position the film for the same U.S. audience that has embraced Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall, another smart French drama about a toxic marriage, which has grossed more than $4.4 million stateside for Neon and is riding high on its five Oscar nominations, including one for best picture. There’s a nice symmetry to the fact that Efira also starred in Triet’s 2019 psychodrama Sibyl alongside Anatomy of a Fall‘s Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller.
Music Box Films’ Brian Andreotti described the film as a “chilling domestic thriller that had us on the edge of our seats,” praising Donzelli and Diwan for “tracking complexities and patterns of domestic
abuse.”
“We are excited to collaborate again with Music Box Films and thrilled they will bring Just the Two of Us
to U.S. theaters,” added Goodfellas’ Eva Diederix. “Donzelli’s unique vision crafts a captivating story that’s lead by Virginie Efira’s irresistible charm and great performance leaving a lasting impression on U.S. audiences.”
Just the Two of Us will have its U.S. premiere in New York City on March 3rd at the RendezVous with French Cinema festival before Music Box takes the film out to a wider theatrical audience in the spring followed by a home entertainment bow.
The sale of the film was negotiated by Brian Andreotti of Music Box Films and Eva Diederix at Goodfellas
on behalf of the filmmakers.
Check out the trailer for Just the Two of Us below.