Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

French Exit (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

French Exit (2021) movie poster

French Exit is a 2021 comedy drama directed by Azazel Jacobs, starring Eddie Holland as Young Malcolm Price, Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges. It is based on French Exit by Patrick deWitt. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide. It earned 3 award nominations, including Studio or Independent – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2021. Critics gave it 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
65%
worldwide gross
$1.6M
award nominations
3
Loading streaming availability…
French Exit (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Azazel Jacobs
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is French Exit About?

The premise of French Exit without spoilers, adapted from French Exit by Patrick deWitt. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Facing financial ruin, a New York socialite decides to leave her life behind and move to Paris with her wayward son, Malcolm, and a peculiar cat named Small Frank. Believing Small Frank holds the spirit of her deceased husband, Franklin, Frances hopes for a fresh start in the City of Lights. However, their relocation is filled with unexpected encounters and humorous situations as they navigate a new culture and confront their past.

French Exit Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • screenplay adapted by author
  • socialite
  • relocation
  • inheritance
  • mother son relationship
  • black cat
  • son
  • cat
  • based on book
  • two word title
  • prologue
  • younger version of character
+38 more
  • paris france
  • dead husband
  • dead father
  • name calling
  • title appears in writing
  • new york city
  • marriage engagement
  • fiance fiancee relationship
  • selling one's possessions
  • sharpening a knife
  • knife
  • fear
  • fear of mother's rejection
  • wine
  • nickname
  • eccentric mother
  • broke
  • accidentally throwing a knife
  • crying woman
  • hysterical laughter
  • wearing sunglasses indoors
  • restaurant
  • friendship
  • friendship between women
  • maid
  • bounced check
  • man with long hair
  • chivalry
  • breakup
  • man puts a napkin over his head
  • engagement break up
  • cowardice
  • devotion
  • saying goodbye
  • looking in a window
  • apology
  • homeless man
  • begging for money
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

French Exit Cast & Characters

Eddie Holland leads the cast as Young Malcolm Price, with Michelle Pfeiffer as Frances Price and Lucas Hedges as Malcolm Price. Directed by Azazel Jacobs; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in French Exit

· 7 more
From the director

More from Azazel Jacobs

More films directed by Azazel Jacobs, best-rated first: His Three Daughters, Momma's Man, The Lovers and Terri.

Full filmography
Ratings

French Exit Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave French Exit 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (62).

75 /100

French Exit Echo Score Breakdown

French Exit offers a distinctive blend of measured wit and atmospheric melancholy anchored by a standout lead performance. The film’s visual design and dry humor have drawn consistent praise, while occasional tonal shifts and pacing lapses introduce a degree of ambivalence. Characters often feel engaging yet aloof, and the narrative lingers more than it propels. Overall, it delivers a thoughtfully eccentric experience that resonates more through style and performance than through plot cohesion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents an elegant visual palette framed by romantic winter scenes of Paris and thoughtful production design. Critics and users alike noted the strong camera work and deliberate framing, though some technical choices contribute to a sense of uneven momentum. Overall, the cinematography and design elements succeed in establishing a refined atmosphere despite minor stylistic inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central performances are consistently praised for their gravitas and nuance, especially from the lead actress. Supporting roles offer endearing warmth but occasionally lack depth, contributing to a sense of emotional distance. While Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal shines with measured expressiveness, the storytelling leaves some characters feeling aloof. Net effect: compelling performances tempered by limited empathetic engagement.

  • Story & Flow 62

    In terms of story and flow, the adaptation finds moments of original wit and thematic reflection but seldom sustains narrative momentum. The dry humor and satirical undercurrents receive recognition, yet shifts in tone can create a fragmented pacing that slows engagement. Some viewers compare its structure unfavorably to earlier comedies, underscoring a sense of uneven coherence. On balance, the plot intrigues but does not fully cohere.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    With regard to sensory experience, the film’s visual style and sound design contribute effectively to its melancholic yet whimsical mood. The muted color schemes and ambient soundtrack support a consistent tonal identity, even if the score remains understated. Sound cues and dialogue delivery reinforce the dry comedic rhythm. Overall, the sensory elements form a cohesive backdrop that enhances but does not overwhelm the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    As for rewatch factor, viewers appreciate the film’s subtle details and thoughtful tonal shifts, which reward repeat viewings. The nuanced performance and atmospheric setting invite reconsideration, even as the deliberate pacing and emotional reserve may limit sustained replay value for some. Ultimately, the picture maintains a moderate lasting appeal that is bolstered by its stylistic quirks and thematic observations.

Plot

French Exit Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in French Exit from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

After a bank seizes the property of Manhattan heiress Frances Price, Michelle Pfeiffer and her son Malcolm Price Lucas Hedges are left with almost nothing. They liquidate what they can, relocate to a small Paris apartment owned by Frances’s sister, and take along their cat, Small Frank, who is revealed to be the reincarnated husband, Franklin Price Tracy Letts.

On the journey to Europe, Malcolm meets Madeleine the Medium [Danielle Macdonald], a fortune teller who predicts the death of a passenger and immediately recognizes the uncanny link between the cat Small Frank and Franklin Price. The encounter stirs thin undercurrents of fate and memory, pulling Frances and Malcolm into a web of revelations they must navigate.

Full summary

The whole story of French Exit, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

French Exit Box Office

French Exit grossed $1.6 million worldwide. $741,895 came from the US and Canada and $814,868 (52%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.6M

US & Canada
$741.9K
International
$814.9K
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Awards

French Exit Awards & Nominations

French Exit earned 3 award nominations, including Studio or Independent – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2021. The 3 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

French Exit Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Clip "It's All Gone" Official Clip
  • Clip Extended Preview
  • Featurette Making French Exit with Azazel Jacobs, Patrick deWitt, Michelle Pfeiffer & Lucas Hedges
  • Featurette Scene at The Academy
Quiz

How Well Do You Know French Exit?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actress plays Manhattan heiress Frances Price?

Cars

Cars in French Exit

12 cars on screen, including the 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II and the 2006 Cadillac DTS.

All 12 cars
  • 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II in French Exit 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Important role
  • 2006 Cadillac DTS in French Exit 2006 Cadillac DTS Minor role
  • 2011 Peugeot 508 in French Exit 2011 Peugeot 508 Minor role
  • 2009 Citroën Berlingo in French Exit 2009 Citroën Berlingo Background role
Details

French Exit Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Sortie côté tour” and “法式告别”.

Also known as
  • Sortie côté tour
  • 法式告别
  • 法式出路
  • Бягство по френски
  • 法式出口
  • Zengin Kalkışı
  • Уйти не прощаясь
  • 프렌치 엑시트
  • Franču izeja
  • Salida francesa
  • Francuskie wyjście
  • Fuga a Parigi
+11 more
  • Plano de Fuga
  • Francia kiút
  • 野蠻法國行
  • Saída à Francesa
  • יציאה צרפתית
  • สุดสายปลายทางที่ปารีส
  • Fuga la Paris
  • Po francouzsku, შეუმჩნეველი წასვლა
  • フレンチ・イグジット ~さよならは言わずに~
  • 法式告別
  • Lối thoát ở Pháp

Seen French Exit?

FAQ

French Exit FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of French Exit, each answered in a sentence.

How long is French Exit?

French Exit runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was French Exit released?

French Exit was released on February 12, 2021.

Who directed French Exit?

French Exit was directed by Azazel Jacobs.

More films by Azazel Jacobs

Who is in the cast of French Exit?

French Exit stars Eddie Holland as Young Malcolm Price, Michelle Pfeiffer as Frances Price and Lucas Hedges as Malcolm Price, among 11 credited actors.

How much did French Exit make at the box office?

French Exit grossed $1.6 million worldwide ($741,895 domestic, $814,868 international).

How is French Exit rated?

French Exit has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Is French Exit based on a book?

Yes. French Exit is adapted from French Exit by Patrick deWitt.

Was French Exit nominated for any awards?

French Exit received 3 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app