Synopsis
Sibyl, a jaded psychotherapist, returns to her first passion: writing. But her newest patient Margot, a troubled up-and-coming actress, proves to be a source of inspiration that is far too tempting. Fascinated almost to the point of obsession, Sibyl becomes more and more involved in Margot’s tumultuous life, reviving volatile memories that bring her face to face with her past.
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Cast
- Virginie EfiraSibyl
- Adèle ExarchopoulosMargot Vasilis
- Gaspard UllielIgor
- Sandra HüllerMika
- Laure CalamyEdith
- Niels SchneiderGabriel
- Paul HamyÉtienne
- Arthur HarariDr. Katz
- Adrien BellemareDaniel
- Jeane Arra-BellangerSelma
Recommendations
- 100
Film Threat
There are visually stunning scenes throughout, but the acting and writing are the pièce de résistance of Sibyl and should be exactly why you put this film on your radar as one to watch from 2019. It’s certainly going on my end of year favorite list. - 75
Slant Magazine
Justine Triet is less committed to some make-believe realism than she is to the tricks that memory and language can play on us. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
It’s about as French as you can get, to a point that feels borderline absurd in places, and yet Triet handles the material gracefully and altogether skillfully, directing star Virginie Efira to one of her most impressive all-encompassing performances to date. - 70
Variety
Triet’s chic, blackly comic psychodrama piles up bad decisions like so many profiteroles in a croquembouche, admiring the teetering spectacle of its chaos as it goes. - 60
CineVue
Efira is a dominant and compelling presence and Sibyl is frequently funny. Ultimately, it never quite squares the circle of the comedy and the pain, but Triet is a sophisticated filmmaker and this – her third feature – is further proof of great talent. - 58
The Film Stage
The final third, especially, is by-the-numbers plotting. It’s a pity, as the film starts off promising some interesting overarching themes, especially Sibyl’s underhand ethics of mining her psychological examinations for fiction. As a metaphor for artistic invention, it’s an interesting, but unsuccessful one. - 50
Screen Daily
Sibyl is far less than the sum of its parts, and never manages to shake off a heavy tone which consistently threatens to capsize even the rare funny interludes. - 50
The Playlist
A flimsy, unremarkable story of obsession.
