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Romantic drama

Souvenir (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Souvenir (2018) movie poster

Souvenir is a 2018 romantic drama directed by Bavo Defurne, starring Isabelle Huppert as Liliane Cheverny, dite Laura, Kévin Azaïs and Johan Leysen. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $1.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
52%
worldwide gross
$1.8M
Echo Score
58
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Souvenir (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Bavo Defurne
Genres
Drama , Romance , Music
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Souvenir About?

The premise of Souvenir without spoilers.

A quiet factory worker named Liliane finds her routine disrupted by the arrival of Jean, a charismatic newcomer. As they connect over their shared passion for music, Jean becomes intrigued by Liliane’s past, prompting a journey of self-discovery for both. The film explores themes of connection, second chances, and the possibility of finding unexpected joy in life. Isabelle Huppert delivers a compelling performance in this poignant drama.

Souvenir Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • older woman younger man relationship
  • gay interest
  • comeback
  • boxer
  • singer
  • older woman younger man sex
  • father son relationship
  • eurovision song contest
  • age discordant relationship
  • pate
  • factory worker
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Cast & crew

Souvenir Cast & Characters

Isabelle Huppert leads the cast as Liliane Cheverny, dite Laura, with Kévin Azaïs as Jean Leloup and Johan Leysen as Tony Jones. Directed by Bavo Defurne; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Souvenir

· 6 more
From the director

More from Bavo Defurne

More films directed by Bavo Defurne, best-rated first: North Sea Texas, Particularly Now, in Spring and Saint.

Full filmography
Ratings

Souvenir Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Souvenir 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (45).

58 /100

Souvenir Echo Score Breakdown

Souvenir benefits from an exceptional lead performance but is burdened by its minimal narrative. While Isabelle Huppert’s nuanced presence anchors the film and offers intermittent emotional resonance, the plot’s simplicity and predictable turns limit its engagement. The visual presentation and dreamlike haze add occasional stylistic interest, and the soundtrack provides light distraction, yet these elements rarely coalesce into a cohesive whole. Ultimately, a film that often relies on its star’s magnetism but struggles to sustain its own momentum.

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

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, Souvenir exhibits modest visual distinction with its dreamlike cinematography and controlled editing. The film’s direction opts for restraint, offering understated sequences rather than grand set pieces. Production design remains minimal, aligning with the narrative’s simplicity but occasionally feeling underdeveloped. While the subtle aesthetic contributes to a gentle atmosphere, it seldom evolves beyond its initial promise. Overall, the craftsmanship is serviceable but rarely ventures into standout territory.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is lifted by its lead performance. The central portrayal delivers nuanced reactions and an engaging chemistry that resonates through quieter moments. Secondary characters receive less development, resulting in limited emotional depth outside the protagonist’s arc. Although the muted tone sometimes undercuts investment, the principal emotional anchor provides sufficient resonance. In sum, the character work centers strongly on the lead but leaves supporting dynamics comparatively thin.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative remains deliberately simple and predictable. The pacing favors a languid tempo that underscores the romantic premise but often feels uneventful. Attempts at thematic depth, such as generational differences, are introduced briefly but lack fuller exploration. This minimalistic approach yields occasional charm yet struggles to maintain engagement across the runtime. Ultimately, the storyline offers a clear throughline without significant surprises, resulting in a modest narrative impact.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film incorporates a light and catchy soundtrack that punctuates the scenes without dominating them. The sound design supports the intimate atmosphere but rarely draws attention. Visually, the dreamlike haze and restrained color palette create a cohesive style, though it limits dynamic variation. The overall auditory and visual elements provide a pleasant backdrop but stop short of generating lasting sensory imprint. In total, the sensory aspects feel agreeable but not particularly striking.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Souvenir’s appeal is anchored by its lead performance and occasional stylistic flourishes. Viewers drawn to nuanced acting and gentle romance may find value in revisiting key scenes. However, the narrative’s straightforward nature and limited dramatic stakes reduce incentive for multiple viewings. The film’s modest magic resides in moments of emotional subtlety rather than narrative complexity. Ultimately, its replay value is moderate, likely resonating best with those who appreciate its central performance.

Box office

Souvenir Box Office

Souvenir grossed $1.8 million worldwide. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $740,749 (42%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.8M

US & Canada
$1M
International
$740.7K
US & Canada 58% Rest of the world 42%
Cars

Cars in Souvenir

7 cars on screen, including the Volkswagen LT I Typ 28 and the 1979 Volkswagen Polo I Typ 86.

All 7 cars
  • Volkswagen LT I Typ 28 in Souvenir Volkswagen LT I Typ 28 Minor role
  • 1979 Volkswagen Polo I Typ 86 in Souvenir 1979 Volkswagen Polo I Typ 86 Minor role
  • 1971 Austin FX4 in Souvenir 1971 Austin FX4 Background role
  • 1989 Austin Metro in Souvenir 1989 Austin Metro Background role
Details

Souvenir Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “纪念品:第一部分, soghati” and “수베니어: 파트 I”.

Also known as
  • 纪念品:第一部分, soghati
  • 수베니어: 파트 I
  • The Souvenir - Partie 1
  • O Souvenir
  • Hatıra
  • Сувенір
  • Сувенирът
  • 纪念品
  • Сувенир
  • El souvenir
  • 我們的相愛時光
  • 더 수베니어
+11 more
  • Pamiątka
  • המזכרת
  • Ενθύμιο
  • Suvenirul
  • 相戀時光 40 年
  • Suvenýr
  • Szuvenír
  • スーヴェニア -私たちが愛した時間-
  • Kỷ Vật
  • یادگاری
  • التذكار

Seen Souvenir?

FAQ

Souvenir FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Souvenir?

Souvenir runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Souvenir released?

Souvenir was released on March 2, 2018.

Who directed Souvenir?

Souvenir was directed by Bavo Defurne.

More films by Bavo Defurne

Who is in the cast of Souvenir?

Souvenir stars Isabelle Huppert as Liliane Cheverny, dite Laura, Kévin Azaïs as Jean Leloup and Johan Leysen as Tony Jones, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Souvenir make at the box office?

Souvenir grossed $1.8 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $740,749 international).

How is Souvenir rated?

Souvenir has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Souvenir have a post-credit scene?

No. Souvenir has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Souvenir in?

The original language of Souvenir is French.

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