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Romantic drama

Simple Passion (2022): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Simple Passion (2022) movie poster

Simple Passion is a 2022 romantic drama directed by Danielle Arbid, starring Laetitia Dosch as Hélène, Lou-Teymour Thion and Sergei Polunin. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
59%
Echo Score
46
Metascore
57
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Simple Passion (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
Danielle Arbid
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Simple Passion About?

The premise of Simple Passion without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A complex woman finds herself entangled in a passionate and forbidden affair with a charismatic stranger from a different world. As their intense bond deepens, long-held secrets are revealed, and the boundaries between their lives become increasingly blurred. The story explores the intoxicating nature of desire and the far-reaching consequences of a love that challenges societal norms and personal loyalties.

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Cast & crew

Simple Passion Cast & Characters

Laetitia Dosch leads the cast as Hélène, with Lou-Teymour Thion as Paul and Sergei Polunin as Alexandre. Directed by Danielle Arbid; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Simple Passion

· 6 more
Ratings

Simple Passion Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Simple Passion 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 46/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

46 /100

Simple Passion Echo Score Breakdown

Simple Passion elicits a mixed to negative reaction, with critics divided between praise for its sensual atmosphere and criticism of its narrative depth, while user commentary leans heavily toward disappointment. The film’s visual and auditory elements receive modest approval, yet its storytelling and character dynamics are regarded as uneven. Consequently, the movie offers limited incentive for repeat viewings, resulting in a modest overall rating.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and visual style draw both admiration and critique. Reviewers note a visceral depiction of detachment and moments of exquisite composition, but many cite a lack of substantive aesthetics and a thin production design. The mixed feedback yields an intermediate assessment of the film’s technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating character and emotion, opinions fluctuate between commendation of Dosch’s nuanced performance and criticism of the on‑screen chemistry. Some critics highlight a relatable, humane portrayal, while others point to overacted or emotionally flat moments that undermine engagement. User responses similarly describe uneven acting, resulting in a below‑average character score.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The story and flow are regarded as the film’s weakest component. Critics mention a repetitive, predictable arc that fails to capitalize on thematic potential, describing the narrative as banal and unable to sustain interest. User remarks echo this sentiment, citing redundancy and a lack of compelling progression, leading to a low story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory experience receives a balanced appraisal. Reviewers praise the soundtrack and moments of immersive visual detachment, yet also note inconsistent cinematography and occasional reliance on provocative imagery over artistic nuance. User comments reflect a similar split, acknowledging occasional atmospheric strengths while finding many sequences forgettable, positioning the sensory score in the middle range.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Rewatch value is limited according to both critics and viewers. While some note the film’s ability to linger as an “exquisite torture,” many describe its repetitive erotic scenes and shallow plot as deterrents to subsequent viewings. User feedback frequently likens the experience to low‑brow porn, indicating low incentive for repeat engagement.

Plot

Simple Passion Plot Summary

What happens in Simple Passion from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Literature professor Hélène, a divorced mother residing in the Paris suburbs with her young son, Paul, finds herself entangled in a fervent affair with the enigmatic Alexandre, a younger and married Russian diplomat stationed at the embassy. Their passionate relationship sparks from a chance encounter at a party in Porto, leading to clandestine afternoon meetings at Hélène’s home. Despite the excitement, Alexandre is often emotionally distant, meeting Hélène only when it is convenient for him and insisting she avoid contacting him, particularly during his time with his wife. Hélène’s infatuation with him deepens as she spends many solitary hours awaiting his calls, which leads her into a spiral of obsession.

Full summary

The whole story of Simple Passion, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Simple Passion Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Simple Passion.

#BIFF2020 World Cinema - Passion Simple / 월드 시네마 - 단순한 열정
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Simple Passion?

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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Hélène's profession?

Seen Simple Passion?

FAQ

Simple Passion FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Simple Passion, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Simple Passion?

Simple Passion runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Simple Passion released?

Simple Passion was released on January 21, 2022.

Who directed Simple Passion?

Simple Passion was directed by Danielle Arbid.

More films by Danielle Arbid

Who is in the cast of Simple Passion?

Simple Passion stars Laetitia Dosch as Hélène, Lou-Teymour Thion as Paul and Sergei Polunin as Alexandre, among 10 credited actors.

How is Simple Passion rated?

Simple Passion has 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic, 57% on TMDB and 2.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Simple Passion have a post-credit scene?

No. Simple Passion has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Simple Passion in?

The original language of Simple Passion is French.

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