Elle (2016) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online
Elle, directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Isabelle Huppert, is a provocative and unsettling psychological thriller that explores themes of trauma, power, and revenge. Released in 2016, the French-language film garnered widespread acclaim for Huppert’s fearless performance and Verhoeven’s bold direction. Elle is a complex, darkly comic, and challenging film that defies conventional storytelling, blurring the lines between victim and aggressor, making it a standout in contemporary cinema. This review will discuss the film’s plot, performances, and where to watch Elle online in the U.S.
Plot Summary: A Thrilling Exploration of Power Dynamics
Elle centers around Michèle Leblanc (Isabelle Huppert), a successful businesswoman who is brutally raped in her home by a masked intruder. Instead of reacting with fear or seeking immediate help, Michèle calmly cleans up the mess and continues with her life as if nothing happened. She does not report the attack to the police, choosing instead to investigate and track down the assailant on her own terms.
As Michèle’s hunt for her rapist intensifies, her personal life begins to unravel. She runs a successful video game company, is having an affair with her best friend’s husband, and has a strained relationship with her son and her elderly, eccentric mother. As she navigates these complex relationships, Michèle maintains a composed, almost cold exterior. But beneath this façade lies a deeply troubled woman with a traumatic past, which gradually reveals itself throughout the film.
The mystery of who attacked Michèle is central to the plot, but Elle is far more interested in the psychological ramifications of the event than in providing a simple whodunit. The film delves into Michèle’s psyche, exploring her complicated feelings of victimhood, power, and control. Rather than being portrayed as a helpless victim, Michèle is a formidable figure, taking matters into her own hands in ways that are both shocking and unpredictable.
Isabelle Huppert’s Career-Defining Performance
Isabelle Huppert’s performance in Elle is nothing short of extraordinary. As Michèle, Huppert embodies a character who defies easy categorization. She is at once vulnerable and impenetrable, cold and darkly humorous, making her one of the most complex and fascinating characters in recent cinema. Huppert’s ability to convey layers of emotion with subtlety and precision is a masterclass in acting.
Her portrayal of Michèle earned her numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Huppert’s performance is fearless—she navigates the challenging material with an assuredness that makes Michèle both enigmatic and compelling.
Paul Verhoeven’s Bold Direction
Paul Verhoeven, known for pushing boundaries in films like Basic Instinct and Showgirls, returns to familiar territory with Elle, blending sexual provocation with psychological complexity. However, Elle is far from a straightforward thriller. Verhoeven takes a risky approach by mixing dark humor with disturbing subject matter, creating a film that is as provocative as it is uncomfortable.
Verhoeven’s direction is confident and unflinching. He doesn’t shy away from the difficult and taboo aspects of the story, but he also doesn’t glorify violence or trauma. Instead, he invites the audience to confront the ambiguity of human emotions and motivations. His decision to make Michèle’s response to her assault unconventional and morally ambiguous sets the film apart from more typical revenge thrillers.
The film’s visual style is sleek and elegant, with Verhoeven opting for a restrained aesthetic that contrasts with the dark, often disturbing subject matter. The result is a film that is visually striking while maintaining an air of psychological tension.
Themes: Power, Control, and Ambiguity
Elle is a film that operates in moral gray areas, challenging the audience to grapple with its difficult themes. Central to the film is the theme of power—who holds it, how it’s used, and how it can shift in unexpected ways. Michèle’s refusal to be cast as a victim and her insistence on taking control of her situation sets up a complex power dynamic between her and her assailant.
Verhoeven also explores the notion of trauma and how people cope with it in radically different ways. Michèle’s complicated reaction to her rape—ranging from indifference to revenge—defies societal expectations and forces the audience to question their own assumptions about victimhood and justice.
The film also deals with familial dysfunction, sexual desire, and societal expectations of women, making it a rich and layered narrative that leaves viewers with more questions than answers.
Where to Watch Elle Online in the U.S.
If you’re interested in watching Elle online, here are the platforms where you can stream, rent, or purchase the film in the U.S.:
1. Subscription-Based Streaming Services
- Hulu: Elle is available to stream on Hulu. If you’re a Hulu subscriber, you can watch the film as part of its extensive library, which includes a wide range of films and TV shows.
2. Rental/Purchase Options
- Amazon Prime Video: You can rent or purchase Elle on Amazon Prime Video. Renting the film gives you a 48-hour window to watch it, while purchasing allows you to stream it anytime.
- Google Play Movies: Elle is also available for rent or purchase on Google Play Movies, allowing you to stream it on a variety of devices, including Android phones, smart TVs, and web browsers.
- Apple TV (iTunes): Apple users can rent or purchase Elle on Apple TV. This option offers a seamless streaming experience across all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- Vudu: Vudu offers Elle for rent or purchase. Known for its high-definition streaming, Vudu provides excellent video and sound quality, making it a great option for cinephiles looking for the best viewing experience.
3. Other Platforms
- YouTube Movies: Elle is available for rent or purchase on YouTube Movies. You can stream it directly on YouTube, making it accessible on various devices.
- Redbox On Demand: Redbox On Demand also offers Elle for rental. This option allows you to stream the film instantly without needing to pick up a physical copy.
Conclusion
Elle (2016) is a provocative and challenging film that explores difficult themes with complexity and nuance. Paul Verhoeven’s fearless direction and Isabelle Huppert’s extraordinary performance combine to create a gripping psychological thriller that is as unsettling as it is thought-provoking.
The film’s exploration of power, trauma, and control, coupled with its dark humor and ambiguous morality, makes it a standout entry in the genre of psychological thrillers. While it may not be for everyone due to its uncomfortable subject matter, Elle is a film that rewards viewers willing to engage with its complexities.
For those looking to watch Elle online, platforms like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Apple TV offer streaming, rental, and purchase options, making it easy to experience this critically acclaimed film.
