See the Sea (1997)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(1,319 ratings)

This French suspense drama, set on an island off the Atlantic coast of France, is a medium-length feature, running 52 minutes. Isolated at a cottage on the Ile d'Yeu, young Englishwoman Sasha (Sasha Hails) is alone with her baby daughter when sullen backpacker Tatiana (Marina de Van) turns up. Sasha… More This French suspense drama, set on an island off the Atlantic coast of France, is a medium-length feature, running 52 minutes. Isolated at a cottage on the Ile d'Yeu, young Englishwoman Sasha (Sasha Hails) is alone with her baby daughter when sullen backpacker Tatiana (Marina de Van) turns up. Sasha allows Tatiana to pitch her tent near the cottage and later invites her to dinner. Sasha is fascinated yet wary, since Tatiana's edginess not only generates a sinister sexual tension, it seems to mask a deeper hostility, hinting at potential violence. The escalating threat leads to a stunning surprise for Sasha's husband (Paul Raoux) when he returns to Paris. The film was paired in theaters and on video release with Ozon's Une robe d'été/A Summer Dress, a light-hearted 15-minute drama in which an 18-year-old gay man, on vacation with a boyfriend, has a brief sexual interlude in the woods off the beach with a young woman, who lends him her dress when his clothes are stolen. He rides home from the beach on his bicycle, wearing the dress, and has sex with his boyfriend, whom he had snapped at earlier. The movie captures the lightness and breeziness of summer, of the seaside, of being young, good-looking, and sexually adventurous. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 52 min.
Directed By: François Ozon
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jun 7, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Jan 21, 2003
Studio: New Yorker

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Ozon subtly lets on that something is not quite right here, but keeps us utterly in the dark until the final shocking images.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Simple and simply creepy.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ozon's minimalist work is an edgy thriller that keeps one glued to the screen in anticipation.
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Generally effective in its sometimes subtle depiction of escalating malice.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dr Blood

Having now seemingly run out of anything without subtitles to watch on Netflix, I decided to give this little film from François Ozon a go. It was only 52 minutes long so it wasn't any worse than watching a TV episode really. It was okay but not exactly brilliant. I could tell… More
Having now seemingly run out of anything without subtitles to watch on Netflix, I decided to give this little film from François Ozon a go. It was only 52 minutes long so it wasn't any worse than watching a TV episode really. It was okay but not exactly brilliant. I could tell what was going to happen from the moment Tatiana arrived but I was hoping for a lot more sordid action first. Although it didn't really go the way that I wanted, it was still pretty filthy so I wasn't too disappointed. My new word for the day is "chairgasm". The actresses were quite good though neither was all that physically attractive. Their characters were even more disgusting so I didn't exactly warm to either of them. Sasha, in particular, was just so clueless that she deserved everything that happened to her. I've got a feeling that "See the Sea" was supposed to be shocking when it came out but now it's nothing special really. It's well done considering the low-budget but not something I'd want to buy especially now that I know the price at Amazon. $22.49 for a 52 minute film? Get real. I wouldn't give you more than 50c for it. Unless you are a film school student or similar then you wouldn't watch "See the Sea" more than once. As an obvious precursor to "À l'intérieur" (2007) it may be of some historical interest though, since I hate that film with a passion, I don't even care. It's not scary but, fortunately, it's not arty. "See the Sea" is more of a character study than a thriller and not really something that horror fans would ever rave about.
Randy T

An unsettling film. Progressively ominous and exquisitely directed.
Luke B

52 minutes of edge of your seat tension without any of the cinematic cliches to force you to feel nervous. It all starts off very real. The interaction between mother and daughter is spot on. Caring even if frustrated, the mother does her best. One scene with no dialogue shows the… More
52 minutes of edge of your seat tension without any of the cinematic cliches to force you to feel nervous. It all starts off very real. The interaction between mother and daughter is spot on. Caring even if frustrated, the mother does her best. One scene with no dialogue shows the mothers frustration and wanting to escape as she tries to read a book with her daughter following her every move. Once a stranger shows up she disturbs the balance but mostly only for the audience to see. It shows the mothers uneasiness, before warming to her guest, that gives her something new. At the same time though the audience is shown disturbing glimpses into the strangers mind. Short, simple, minimal but very effective. The ending smashes you over the head and then the film ends. Leaving you to finish the story yourself.
Emily B

Francois Ozon's 'See The Sea' may only be 52 minutes long, but my does it hit you! The conclusion may be predictable, but it's no less shocking. From the moment the backpacker turns up it's obvious she's not quite right, though Sasha, through her… More
Francois Ozon's 'See The Sea' may only be 52 minutes long, but my does it hit you! The conclusion may be predictable, but it's no less shocking. From the moment the backpacker turns up it's obvious she's not quite right, though Sasha, through her loneliness is oblivious to it. Whilst Sasha may be lonely I find it hard to believe that any mother would not only leave their baby with a stranger, but also leave them alone on a beach whilst they go off looking for casual sex. Overall a very disturbing film but no doubt effective, fans of Ozon should defiantly try and see it.