Nicolas Keutel's Feature Debut 'Louise' Offers Introspective Drama for the Christmas Season

The feature-length directorial debut from Nicolas Keutel, titled 'Louise,' arrived in theaters on December 10, 2025. This film provided audiences with a compelling alternative to the typically lighthearted fare associated with the Christmas holiday period. Clocking in at 108 minutes, this production is a Franco-Belgian venture blending elements of melodrama, psychological thriller, and family drama. Key production support came from Scope Pictures, Gabman, La Boétie Films, RTBF, Proximus, and Voo TV.

Keutel, who previously established a reputation in short-form filmmaking, including the work 'Le bon copain,' continues his thematic focus in this first full-length movie. The narrative delves deeply into the lasting repercussions of childhood trauma. The core story centers on a woman who, after a mysterious incident in Lille back in 2008, seeks to forge a new existence under the name Louise. At the time of the incident, she was a child named Marion who stabbed her mother's stepfather. Fifteen years later, Louise, now a working journalist, meticulously orchestrates ways to reconnect with her mother, Cécile de France’s character, Catherine, and her sister, Jeanne, all while keeping her true identity concealed.

Diana Roussel anchors the film, delivering a performance lauded for capturing emotions bordering on sheer desperation. She shares the screen with established talent, including Cécile de France and Salome Dewaels, who portrays the sister. The supporting cast features Lina El Arabi and Paul Ami. Principal photography for the project took place across Belgium and within the Hauts-de-France region.

The official premiere of 'Louise' occurred earlier, on October 20, 2025, at the Cinemed festival in Montpellier. In attendance were Keutel, lead actress Diana Roussel, producer Valérie Garcia, and 11-year-old Noémie Lemaitre-Ekeleu, who played the younger version of Marion. Critics offered praise for Keutel's direction, specifically noting his formal skill and the intimate camera work that zeroed in on subtle facial expressions. However, the screenplay itself garnered a more mixed reception. The emotional architecture of the film is significantly enhanced by the musical score provided by Superpoze, which frames both the opening and closing sequences.

Positioned against the backdrop of major studio releases, such as 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' and 'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for ScrappyPants,' 'Louise' was clearly aimed at moviegoers seeking auteur cinema rich with deep psychological introspection. Apollo Films is handling distribution within France, and the project also benefited from backing by the Bastier Fund in 2025. Ultimately, the drama prompts viewers to contemplate themes of resilience and the complex process of redefining one's identity. As of the close of December 2025, the film continues its theatrical run. Keutel has already announced his next endeavor—a detective investigation—remarking that he felt he had 'completed his therapy with this film.'