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Poster for Stranger by the Lake

Stranger by the Lake

2013 · 1h 40m · Not Rated Drama, Thriller
Directed by Alain Guiraudie

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Overview

Frank spends his summer days hopelessly searching for companionship at a popular cruising spot on the shores of a lake in rural France. One day, he meets Michel, an attractive yet darkly mysterious man and falls blindly in love.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
94%
Tomatometer
Fresh

A stunning minimalist erotic thriller that explores with arresting photography and economical use of dialogue how human identity is defined, and sometimes imprisoned, by our desires, drives, and passions.

Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer
Fresh

Carefully and often brilliantly creates its own Eden-like universe.

John Hartl, Seattle Times
Fresh

There's too much metaphysical packaging material in the story; it's half Styrofoam peanuts. But its ideas are intriguing and its murky suspense is undeniable.

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh

What sets the engrossing "Stranger by the Lake" apart is that its excesses seem to point to a moral purpose beyond shock or entertainment value.

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
Fresh

A simple and ruthlessly effective exercise in minimal narrative and style, Alain Guiraudie's moral tale is so restrained and atmospheric that the nudity and graphic sex don't upstage the creepy mood of seductive, inescapable doom.

Peter Keough, Boston Globe

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