Matthias & Maxime 2020

Matthias and Maxime, two lifelong friends in their late twenties, navigate the complexities of adult life in Montreal. Matthias, portrayed by Harris Dickinson, is a driven businessman preparing for a promotion, while his friend Maxime, played by Pier-Luc Funk, is a more laid-back bartender caring for his struggling alcoholic mother. As they face pivotal moments in their lives—particularly Maxime’s upcoming move to Australia for work—they decide to take a weekend trip to the lakeside cabin of their affluent friend, Rivette (Alexandre Bourgeois).

Their retreat takes an unexpected turn when Rivette’s assertive sister, Érika (Camille Felton), a passionate film student, pressures them into acting in her student short film after her original cast drops out. Initially resistant, Maxime ultimately agrees to appear, and Matthias finds himself compelled to join as a result of a wager with Rivette. The nature of their roles requires them to share a kiss, sparking nostalgia as their friends remind them of a similar incident from high school, which Matthias chalked up to youthful indiscretion fueled by party drugs. Despite their hesitations, the kiss occurs off-screen, leading to unforeseen emotional consequences for both men.

The morning after, Matthias is deeply affected, struggling to find rest and retreating into the lake for solace. He inadvertently finds himself on the wrong side of the water, which parallels his internal turmoil as he grapples with his emotions. His relationship with his caring girlfriend Sarah (Marilyn Castonguay) becomes strained following his decision to decline his job promotion, further heightened by the unveiling of Érika’s short film during a gathering hosted by her mother. While Sarah attempts to comprehend Matthias’s volatile feelings, Maxime is in a delicate phase too, exploring the future of his mother’s estate and seeking a letter of recommendation from Matthias’s successful father in Chicago.

Confusion reigns for Matthias and Maxime as they confront their complex feelings, particularly given their previous attractions to women. Matthias’s denial about Maxime’s imminent departure leads him to avoid attending Maxime’s farewell bash, though Sarah insists on his presence. His late arrival stirs tension among their friends; an ill-timed speech and a confrontation during a party game exacerbate the situation, climaxing with him insulting Maxime’s birthmark. Although he storms out in anger, he soon returns to apologize, yet the night culminates in another shared kiss with Maxime and a fleeting, intense encounter that leaves both of them emotionally frayed.

Following the party, Matthias accompanies a work colleague to a strip club, only to leave abruptly, running through the streets, reflecting his chaotic state of mind. Meanwhile, Maxime is engaged in packing up his childhood home, during which he stumbles upon a nostalgic drawing depicting a shared dream of farm life with Matthias, evoking strong emotions. A call from Matthias’s father’s office reveals a letter of recommendation that was meant for Maxime but never forwarded, triggering an important realization for Maxime about Matthias’s refusal to accept change. With newfound clarity, Maxime hastily resumes his preparations, ready to meet his friend before departing for Australia, only to find Matthias waiting for him, hinting at unresolved feelings and a bond that may stand the test of distance.