My Worst Nightmare (2011)
A sharp French comedy about class, chaos, and what happens when a perfectly ordered life meets its match.
My Worst Nightmare - Movie Information
- Original Title: Mon pire cauchemar
- Release Year: 2011
- Directed by: Anne Fontaine
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 9, 2011 (France - U), November 11, 2011 (United States), January 19, 2012 (Germany - 12), March 30, 2012 (Italy)
- Production Companies: CinéCinéma, Ciné-@, Maison de Cinema, F.B. Productions, Pathé, M6 Films, Entre Chien et Loup, Artémis Productions, Belgacom, Ciné+, M6, Casa Kafka Pictures, Canal+, RTBF
- Production Countries: France, Belgium
My Worst Nightmare - Plot
Agathe runs an art gallery. Her husband François is a publisher. Together they have one son, and in every way seem to be the picture of normality — but emotions are stewing under the surface. All it takes is the arrival of a complete stranger for things to start unravelling. Patrick is brash, uncouth and totally unselfconscious...
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My Worst Nightmare - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Anne Fontaine
Main Cast
- Isabelle Huppert
- Benoît Poelvoorde
- André Dussollier
- Virginie Efira
- Donatien Suner
- Corentin Devroey
- Aurélien Recoing
- Samir Guesmi
- Éric Berger
- Philippe Magnan
Writers
- Nicolas Mercier
- Anne Fontaine
Producers
- Bruno Pésery
- Philippe Carcassonne
- Jérôme Seydoux
My Worst Nightmare - FAQs
What is My Worst Nightmare about?
My Worst Nightmare follows Agathe, a refined Parisian art gallery director, whose carefully constructed life begins to crack when Patrick — a loud, unfiltered working-class man — crashes into her world. The film mines the comic and emotional tension between two wildly incompatible personalities, exploring class, desire, and the chaos beneath polished surfaces.
Is My Worst Nightmare worth watching?
If you enjoy sharp French comedies with strong performances, absolutely. Isabelle Huppert and Benoît Poelvoorde make a brilliantly mismatched pair, and director Anne Fontaine keeps the tone nimble. It's a witty, well-crafted film that balances laughs with genuine emotional undercurrents — a satisfying watch for fans of European comedy.
Where can you stream My Worst Nightmare?
You can watch My Worst Nightmare on Hoopla for free. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to catch it depending on your preference.
Why are Agathe and Patrick so incompatible in the film?
Agathe is a composed, culturally refined art world professional, while Patrick is boisterous, unpolished, and completely unbothered by social norms. Their clash is rooted in class and temperament — she represents controlled bourgeois life, he embodies unruly spontaneity. That friction is precisely what makes their dynamic so funny and, eventually, surprisingly affecting.
Who are the main actors in My Worst Nightmare?
The film stars Isabelle Huppert as Agathe, the uptight gallery director, and Benoît Poelvoorde as Patrick, the chaotic intruder into her life. André Dussollier plays her husband François, and Virginie Efira appears as Julie. It's a strong ensemble anchored by two of French-language cinema's most compelling performers.
Who directed My Worst Nightmare?
Anne Fontaine directed the film, also co-writing the screenplay with Nicolas Mercier. Fontaine is known for her sharp, character-driven work in French cinema, including Coco Before Chanel (2009). My Worst Nightmare showcases her talent for blending comedy with emotional complexity and class-conscious social observation.
Does My Worst Nightmare have a romantic subplot?
Yes — beneath the comedy of clashing personalities, a slow-burning romantic tension develops between Agathe and Patrick. Their antagonism gradually shifts into something more complicated, giving the film an emotional dimension beyond pure farce. It's handled with restraint and wit, making the romantic undercurrent feel earned rather than forced.
Where was My Worst Nightmare filmed?
My Worst Nightmare was produced in France and Belgium, with the story set in Paris. The Parisian backdrop — art galleries, upscale apartments, and cultural institutions — is integral to the film's class dynamics, contrasting Agathe's polished world with Patrick's rougher, more grounded existence.
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