Renowned French auteur Oliver Assayas' new series for HBO, a meta retelling of his 1996 film, Irma Vep, has been so successful with critics that it has already amassed an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Assayas' 2022 version of Irma Vep keeps the stylistic self-referential trappings of his original film, but implements a contemporary spin on the story, casting Alicia Vikander in the titular role.
Assayas has had a varied and intriguing career with his Michael Haneke-Esque ghost story Personal Shopper, starring Kristen Stewart, splitting audience and critical opinion when it debuted at the Cannes Film festival in 2016. His movies are polarising works of art but have nevertheless catapulted Assayas to the upper echelons of cinematic critical discourse.
Demonlover (2002) - 53%
The 2002 neo-noir Demon Lover was not received particularly well by critics, but judging on Assayas' later work, the movie acts as somewhat of a precursor stylistically to films such as Personal Shopper.
The multi-layered and complicated plot mostly confused critics and the movie was accused of being a self-indulgent mess. Nevertheless, for die-hard Assayas fans, it is worth exploring, if only to compare and contrast with his more critically acclaimed work.
Sentimental Destinies (2000) - 62%
Throughout his career, much like filmmaking contemporaries such as Paul Thomas Anderson, Assayas has been unafraid to bring his idiosyncratic brand of filmmaking to any period of history.
His somber period piece, Sentimental Destinies, explored themes of religion and love in Protestant 19th-century France. Critics were divided when it came to an appraisal of the film, with some noting its ambition whilst others criticizing its plodding nature.
Late August, Early September (1998) - 78%
Assayas is as known for his small and subtle movies as much as he is highly regarded for producing elegant auteur pieces. 1998 saw the release of what could be regarded as an underrated movie gem in Late August, Early September.
Critics looked generally favorably on the movie, which was a nuanced exploration of interrelational love and friendship, and praised its use of metaphor and sharp dialogue. For the most part, the movie is an understated and largely sublime entry into Assayas' distinguished filmmaking catalog.
Something In The Air (2012) - 81%
The political uprising of the late 1960s in France has been a subject most recently explored in Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch, but before a mustached Timothéee Chalomet made light of the time, Assayas' Something In The Air took a more straight-faced look at the young revolutionaries of the era.
Critics lauded the movie for its sensual and dignified exploration of youth culture in France at the time and the central performances of its cast captivated critical opinion. Something In The Air is undeniably a standout and seminal work of politically divisive filmmaking.
Personal Shopper (2016) - 81%
When Personal Shopper premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 it baffled, angered, and entranced critics in equal measure. The movie even solicited a handful of boos and walkouts, such was its polarising mystique.
The movie stars Kristen Stewart, who is convinced of a spiritual connection with the deceased, and whilst mourning the death of her brother becomes embroiled in a murderous plot. For each glowing review of Personal Shopper, its critical detractors would also come out in full voice. It's a difficult watch but an equally unforgettable one at that.
Non-Fiction (2019) - 87%
Assayas' witty romantic drama Non-Fiction, may not have been as memorably divisive as Personal Shopper but was certainly more universally accepted by critics who praised Assayas' comedic touch.
As rich and textured romantic comedies go, Non-Fiction was up there with some of the best of the decade, and rich themes exploring globalization were a hard-hitting touchpoint that kept critics wanting more. Non-Fiction is a fine example of Assayas' ability to switch genres with ease and still produce fascinating work.
Clouds Of Sils Maria (2014) - 91%
Before Personal Shopper divided critical consensus, Assayas cast Kristen Stewart opposite Juliette Binoche in another mind-bending psychological drama, Clouds of Sils Maria.
Clouds of Sils Maria was adored by critics who sighted Stewart's performance as one of the movie's most enduring qualities. With roles such as this, Stewart has been fast convincing critics of her tremendous acting capability.
Irma Vep (1996) - 93%
Assayas' original 1996 version of Irma Vep was a satirical masterpiece that took a long and impassioned look at the profession of filmmaking and is to this day considered a meta classic by critics.
The movie follows French filmmaker René Vidal, who hopes to reprise the popular gothic classic Les Vampires for the modern age. Assayas' film is a post-modernist parable that wowed critics, who fawned over its distinctive approach to self-rationalization.
Summer Hours (2008) - 94%
Summer Hours is a joyous tale of familial love and loss which ensured Assayas critical acclaim in its droves upon release in 2008. According to critics, Summer Hours is a heartbreaking and bittersweet masterpiece of a movie.
Assayas has the uncanny ability in his films to capture the essence of the French family dynamic with razor-sharp awareness and despite not pushing many cinematic boundaries in Summer Hours, creates a sensual film that stands the test of time.
Cold Water (1994) - 100%
Assayas' reprisal of Irma Vep isn't his only work with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The little-known 1994 movie Cold Water was an unequivocal success with critics.
Cold Water is a wild and visceral film that explores the relationship between two troubled teenagers in 1970s France, and is a tour-de-force of naturalistic directing and acting. Assayas' movie is definitely one to watch alongside HBO's newest hit series.