Personal Shopper

These days, former teenage Twilight star Kristen Stewart is an arthouse muse: alongside the likes of Walter Salles (On the Road, 2012) and Kelly Reichardt (Certain Women, 2016), French director Olivier Assayas gave her a (César-winning) role as a personal assistant in Clouds of Sils Maria (2014) as well as the title role in Personal Shopper. 

Stewart’s character, a media celebrity in Paris, is looking for clothes and jewels for her client – but her motivation is not so material. As a medium intrigued by spiritualists such as Victor Hugo and painter Hilma af Klint, she is searching for the spirt of her dead twin brother. While the camera spookily glides through his house, she hopes for a sign of life. Or could these anonymous, pushy text messages be from him? Assayas, who generally shows quite a level of political commitment (Summer Hours, 2008; Carlos, 2010; Something in the Air, 2012) this time creates an exceptional mix of psychological drama, thriller and horror film. Joint winner of the best director award in Cannes.

Also see Masterclass Olivier Assayas.