Non-Fiction (2018)
Olivier Assayas's sparkling French comedy-drama about publishing, digital anxiety, and the messy love lives of Parisian intellectuals.
Non-Fiction - Movie Information
- Original Title: Doubles vies
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Olivier Assayas
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 2019 (Italy), October 18, 2019 (United Kingdom - 15), June 6, 2019 (Germany - 6), January 16, 2019 (France - U), April 18, 2019 (Brazil), April 12, 2019 (Spain), May 16, 2019 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: E-book (FR), 논픽션 (KR), Mellom linjene (NO), Двойные жизни (RU), IL GIOCO DELLE COPPIE (IT), Vidas Duplas (BR)
- Production Companies: CG Cinéma, Vortex Sutra, ARTE France Cinéma, Playtime
- Production Countries: France
Non-Fiction - Plot
Alain, a successful Parisian publisher struggling to adapt to the digital revolution, has major doubts about the new manuscript of Léonard, one of his long-time authors — another work of auto-fiction recycling his love affair with a minor celebrity. Selena, Alain's wife, a famous stage actress, is of the opposite opinion.
Non-Fiction - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of Assayas's sharp Parisian wit:
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Non-Fiction - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Olivier Assayas
Main Cast
- Guillaume Canet
- Juliette Binoche
- Vincent Macaigne
- Christa Théret
- Nora Hamzawi
- Pascal Greggory
- Laurent Poitrenaux
- Sigrid Bouaziz
- Lionel Dray
- Nicolas Bouchaud
Writers
- Olivier Assayas
Producers
- Charles Gillibert
Non-Fiction - FAQs
What is Non-Fiction about?
Non-Fiction follows Alain, a Parisian publisher wrestling with the digital age, and his wife Selena, a stage actress. Their lives intertwine with Léonard, an author whose thinly veiled auto-fiction stirs debate and desire. The film is a sharp, witty look at love, literature, and the anxiety of technological change.
Is Non-Fiction based on real events or people?
Not directly, but the film playfully mirrors real tensions in French publishing and digital culture. The character of Léonard, whose auto-fiction recycles his own love affairs, is a winking nod to a well-known French literary tradition — and the debates the characters have feel very much drawn from real intellectual life.
Where can you stream Non-Fiction right now?
You can stream Non-Fiction on AMC+, Philo, and Sundance Now. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Kanopy offers it for free if you have access through a library or university.
Does Non-Fiction have a happy ending?
Non-Fiction ends on a characteristically ambiguous note — very much in keeping with Assayas's style. The characters reach a kind of quiet reckoning rather than a tidy resolution. Relationships shift, truths surface, and life simply continues. It's bittersweet and open-ended, which feels entirely right for this kind of film.
Who stars in Non-Fiction?
The film brings together a stellar French cast: Guillaume Canet and Juliette Binoche as the central couple, with Vincent Macaigne as the auto-fiction author at the heart of the drama. Christa Théret, Nora Hamzawi, and Pascal Greggory round out a sharp ensemble that crackles with chemistry and wit.
Is Non-Fiction worth watching for fans of French cinema?
Absolutely. Critics praised Non-Fiction as one of Assayas's most entertaining and intellectually alive films. It earned strong reviews for its sparkling dialogue, relaxed confidence, and the sheer pleasure of watching smart people argue about books, technology, and love. It's a film that rewards attentive, curious viewers.
What themes does Non-Fiction explore?
Non-Fiction digs into the anxiety surrounding digital disruption in publishing, the ethics of auto-fiction, and the gap between how people present themselves and who they really are. Underneath the witty surface runs a genuine inquiry into authenticity — in art, in relationships, and in the stories we tell about our own lives.
Who directed Non-Fiction and what else has he made?
Olivier Assayas directed Non-Fiction. He's one of France's most celebrated filmmakers, known for Personal Shopper, Clouds of Sils Maria, Summer Hours, and the acclaimed miniseries Irma Vep. His work consistently blends intellectual rigor with emotional warmth, and Non-Fiction is a prime example of his distinctive voice.
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