Hubbry Logo
Red RoomsRed RoomsMain
Open search
Red Rooms
Community hub
Red Rooms
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Red Rooms
Red Rooms
Red Rooms
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Red Rooms
Theatrical release poster
FrenchLes chambres rouges
Directed byPascal Plante
Written byPascal Plante
Produced byDominique Dussault
Starring
CinematographyVincent Biron
Edited byJonah Malak
Music byDominique Plante
Production
company
Nemesis Films
Distributed byEntract Films
Release dates
  • July 4, 2023 (2023-07-04) (KVIFF)
  • August 11, 2023 (2023-08-11) (Canada)
Running time
118 minutes[1]
CountryCanada
Languages
  • French
  • English
Box office$145,362[2]

Red Rooms (French: Les chambres rouges) is a 2023 Canadian crime drama[3] film written and directed by Pascal Plante.[4] The film stars Juliette Gariépy, Laurie Babin, Elisabeth Locas, Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Natalie Tannous, Pierre Chagnon, and Guy Thauvette. The film's production was first announced in November 2022.[5]

Red Rooms premiered at the 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 4, 2023,[6] and had its Canadian premiere as the opening film of the 2023 Fantasia Film Festival.[7] It was released theatrically in Canada on August 11, 2023, to positive reviews from critics.

Plot

[edit]

In Montreal, fashion model Kelly-Anne attends the trial of Ludovic Chevalier, accused of broadcasting his murder of three teenage girls in a "Red Room", a chat room on the dark web where people pay to watch snuff films. The case has become a media circus and attracted the attention of both the press and "fans" of Chevalier, some of whom believe he is being framed due to his meek nature and kindly demeanor. Although the FBI has turned over two snuff films to the Canadian authorities, the killer's use of a balaclava throws Chevalier's identity into question, despite damning evidence such as the girls' corpses being found buried in the backyard of a residence at which Chevalier used to live.

Kelly-Anne bonds with one of Chevalier's neurotic "fans", Clementine, a younger woman who hitchhiked to Montreal to attend the trial and who has been living in a homeless shelter due to lack of funds. After the two women grow close over their shared fascination with the case, Kelly-Anne invites Clementine to live with her for the duration of the trial. While Clementine passionately defends Chevalier, Kelly-Anne remains distant and taciturn during their conversations.

Kelly-Anne reveals the majority of her income comes from online gambling. She further reveals a proficiency in computer technology, having programmed her own AI, which she has named Guinevere. Unbeknownst to Clementine, Kelly-Anne has begun cyber-stalking Francine Beaulieu, the mother of Camille Beaulieu, Chevalier's youngest victim and the only girl whose snuff video has never been discovered.

On the day that two of Chevalier's snuff films are to be played, the court is cleared of everyone except the victims' families. An upset Clementine expresses disappointment that she will not be able to see the films, which she believes can prove Chevalier's innocence. Kelly-Anne reveals she has already obtained and watched the films via the dark web, and that they contain proof Chevalier is the killer. Kelly-Anne and Clementine return to Kelly-Anne's apartment, where they watch the videos together. Kelly-Anne points out the masked killer has Chevalier's distinct blue eyes and unusual gait. Clementine begins weeping at the brutality of the videos and the revelation that Chevalier is guilty. Disturbed, Clementine decides to skip the rest of the trial and buys a bus ticket home. As she leaves, Clementine asks Kelly-Anne why she is so fascinated with the case and Kelly-Anne cannot reply.

On Chevalier's birthday, Kelly-Anne comes to court wearing the same design of schoolgirl uniform Camille was murdered in, wearing a wig and colored contact lenses to further resemble the girl. Kelly-Anne is forcibly ejected from the courtroom. As she leaves, the normally stationary Chevalier waves and makes eye contact with her. That night, Kelly-Anne's modeling agency fires her because many of her clients saw news of her stunt.

Kelly-Anne makes contact with a hacker on the dark web who has obtained Camille's snuff video and who is planning to auction it off. After proving her identity and ability to bid, Kelly-Anne is welcomed into the auction. Though the bidding initially rises above what she can pay, Kelly-Anne wins a last-minute hand of poker and uses the proceeds to win the snuff film. Suspicious that her activities have been monitored via Guinevere, Kelly-Anne destroys the AI in her blender and then watches the video of Camille.

The same night, Kelly-Anne uses information obtained about Camille's mother on the dark web to circumvent her home's smart locks and break in. After posing for selfies in Camille's room while wearing her schoolgirl uniform, Kelly-Anne leaves a flash drive containing the snuff film in Camille's mother's bedroom.

Some time later, a news broadcast reveals that Camille's mother turned the flash drive over to the police; Camille's snuff film contains footage definitively proving Chevalier is the murderer. It is also revealed that bitcoin records showing Chevalier's profits from the snuff films were turned over anonymously, implied as having been done by Kelly-Anne. He pleads guilty and his trial comes to a close. Back home, Clementine gives an interview to a journalist in which she describes herself as an "ex-groupie" and expresses regret for having supported Chevalier, saying she can now only think about his victims.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Principal photography took place in Montreal in 2022 over 23 days.[8]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 78 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Anchored by Juliette Gariépy's superb portrayal of self-destructive obsession, Red Rooms is a haunting and timely trip down a particularly morbid rabbit hole."[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 81 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Karlovy Vary Film festival 2023 Crystal Globe Competition Red Rooms Nominated [11]
Fantasia Film Festival 2023 Best Film Pascal Plante Won [12]
Best Screenplay Won
Best Performance Juliette Gariépy Won
Best Score Dominique Plante Won
Prix Iris December 10, 2023 Best Film Dominique Dussault Nominated [13]
Best Director Pascal Plante Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Laurie Babin Won
Revelation of the Year Juliette Gariépy Won
Best Screenplay Pascal Plante Nominated
Best Art Direction Laura Nhem Nominated
Best Cinematography Vincent Biron Nominated
Best Editing Jonah Malak Nominated
Best Original Music Dominique Plante Nominated
Best Sound Olivier Calvert, Stéphane Bergeron, Martyne Morin Nominated
Best Hairstyling Nermin Grbic Nominated
Best Makeup Marie Salvado Nominated
Best Casting Marilou Richer Nominated
Prix collégial du cinéma québécois 2024 Best Film Pascal Plante Won [14]
Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois 2024 Prix Luc-Perreault Won [15]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 11, 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Red Rooms Nominated [16]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Red Rooms

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Red Rooms (French: Les chambres rouges) is a 2023 Canadian written and directed by Pascal Plante. The stars Juliette Gariépy as Kelly-Anne, a fashion model obsessed with the trial of Ludovic Chevalier (Sasha Samar), accused of committing murders broadcast on alleged "red rooms"—an involving live-streamed and killings. As Kelly-Anne's fixation deepens, reality blurs with her dark fantasies. The cast also includes Laurie Babin, , and Natalie Tannous. Plante's third feature film, Red Rooms premiered at the on July 20, 2023, and was theatrically released in on August 31, 2023, and in the United States on September 6, 2024. The film received critical acclaim for its tense atmosphere and Gariépy's performance, earning a 96% approval rating on based on 92 reviews.

Premise

Plot summary

"Red Rooms" is a set in , centering on Kelly-Anne, a successful fashion model with a deep fixation on stories. The narrative follows her growing obsession with the high-profile trial of Ludovic Chevalier, a man accused of , torturing, and murdering three teenage girls—aged 13, 14, and 16—while broadcasting the acts live on the from a space known as the "Red Room." Kelly-Anne attends the trial every day in the Montreal courthouse, often arriving early and sleeping outside to claim a front-row seat in the gallery, where she observes the proceedings with intense focus. Living in a sterile high-rise , she sustains herself through and dedicates much of her time to researching the case, including hacking into networks and navigating the for clues related to the crimes. Her fixation blurs the lines between and her morbid fantasies, particularly as she bears a striking resemblance to one of the victims, a 13-year-old whose video remains missing. Amid the courtroom atmosphere, Kelly-Anne strikes up an unlikely interaction with Clémentine, another devoted attendee who harbors strong beliefs in Chevalier's and attends sessions with equal fervor. This connection draws Kelly-Anne deeper into the case, leading her to pursue potential evidence, including the elusive that could confirm or challenge the accusations against Chevalier. The story unfolds across these personal and digital spaces, heightening the tension through Kelly-Anne's relentless quest and the shadowy undercurrents of the .

Themes

"Red Rooms" delves into the obsession with true crime fandom, portraying the protagonist Kelly-Anne's intense fixation on the trial of accused Ludovic Chevalier as a lens for examining parasocial relationships and addictive consumption of violent media. This motif underscores the film's critique of how digital platforms amplify morbid curiosities, turning public spectacles into personal compulsions that erode emotional boundaries. A central theme is the blurring of reality and fantasy, where Kelly-Anne's immersion in lore intertwines her daily life with hallucinatory elements, reflecting broader anxieties about digital . The narrative highlights ethical implications of content and the myth of snuff films, questioning the moral complicity of viewers who seek out such material without direct confrontation with its horrors. Director Pascal Plante intentionally avoids graphic depictions, akin to Michael Haneke's approach in "Funny Games," to provoke audiences into self-reflection on their voyeuristic desires. The film critiques in media consumption by focusing on the act of observation itself, as Kelly-Anne's of the trial and online spaces exposes the dehumanizing gaze that enthusiasts adopt. It also explores agency within male-dominated narratives, presenting Kelly-Anne as a proactive and model who exerts control in a world typically centered on male perpetrators, subverting traditional genre tropes. The of red rooms serves as a for hidden societal darkness, symbolizing the concealed underbelly of the internet where isolation fosters moral ambiguity and detachment from real-world empathy. Plante's intent draws from real serial killer trials, such as a 2014 Montreal case involving video evidence, and internet culture phenomena like creepypastas and pandemic-era true crime surges, to emphasize themes of isolation and digital detachment. He researched hacker communities and online subcultures to authentically depict how virtual environments enable profound emotional disconnection, portraying characters as "ghosts" navigating a fragmented existence. Through this, the film philosophically interrogates how societal fascination with violence reveals deeper critiques of privacy erosion and ethical voids in the digital age.

Production

Development

The development of Red Rooms began during the , when writer-director Pascal Plante discussed ideas with producer Dominique Dussault, initially exploring the concept of "fans of killers" as a lens for examining societal obsessions. This early idea was set aside but revived in after Plante deemed a planned period film too ambitious, shifting focus to a rooted in contemporary digital culture. Plante wrote the script independently over the following months, drawing inspiration from true crime cases, particularly a 2014 trial involving gruesome crimes, while incorporating elements of lore and urban myths about interactive online violence. His research process, spanning to 2022, involved studying trials, dynamics, and folklore to ensure authenticity without directly replicating real events. To refine technical details, Plante consulted experts in technology and , who helped shape the script's portrayal of online anonymity and digital transactions. Nemesis Films, led by producer Dussault, handled and secured financing through Canadian funding institutions, enabling the project's progression to . Early development also included soft preparations such as location scouting in and preliminary auditions, establishing the film's grounded, urban aesthetic.

Casting and filming

The principal cast of Red Rooms was assembled through a traditional process led by director Pascal Plante and producer Dominique Dussault, who conducted extensive auditions at their Nemesis Films office in beginning in early 2022. Juliette Gariépy was selected for the lead role of Kelly-Anne, marking her breakout performance as a first-time lead actress; Plante praised her magnetic charisma and unique presence during the audition, noting her background as a former model that aligned with the character's poised yet obsessive demeanor. Laurie Babin was cast as Clémentine, Kelly-Anne's roommate. Maxwell McCabe-Lokos portrayed the accused Ludovic Chevalier, chosen specifically for his ordinary, neighborly appearance to underscore the film's theme of banal evil. Principal photography took place over 23 days in the fall of 2022, primarily in and its surrounding areas, leveraging the city's infrastructure for efficiency and authenticity. The production emphasized practical locations, including exteriors at the real courthouse to capture the trial's public atmosphere, while interior scenes were filmed on a custom-built set over three intensive days to control the environment and facilitate dynamic blocking. Other sequences utilized on-location shooting in apartments and the city's metro system, contributing to the film's grounded realism without relying on extensive set construction. Vincent Biron employed a visual style that shifted from precise, documentary-like framing in the courtroom—comprising about 40 minutes of —to more expressionistic and claustrophobic compositions in personal spaces, enhancing the protagonist's psychological isolation through tight shots and subtle distortions. The film's technical elements were completed in . The original score, composed by Dominique Plante, was developed during this phase to underscore the narrative's tension; the was released in 2023.

Release

Premieres and distribution

Red Rooms had its world premiere at the 57th on July 4, 2023. The film received its North American premiere as the opening selection of the 2023 on July 20, 2023. In , Red Rooms was released theatrically on August 11, 2023, distributed by Entract Films. For the , distributor acquired the rights in September 2023, leading to a limited theatrical release on September 6, 2024. Internationally, the film secured distribution deals including with La Aventura for in 2024, ESC Distribution for , , and (theatrical release January 17, 2024), Vertigo Releasing for the and , New Select for and , Hooray Films for , Njuta for (except by AS Fidalgo), and Anthenica for territories (, , , , , and ex-Yugoslavia). It became available for streaming on Prime Video starting October 4, 2024, and on Shudder in the as of January 16, 2025. As of November 2025, Red Rooms has not achieved major wide theatrical releases beyond these limited markets.

Box office performance

Red Rooms grossed a total of $147,552 worldwide as of November 2025, including $83,081 from its limited U.S. theatrical release in 2024. The film's international earnings were primarily driven by its home market in , where it opened on August 11, 2023. In , Red Rooms demonstrated solid initial performance, particularly in theaters. The U.S. limited run, however, was constrained by the film's positioning as a niche , resulting in a modest domestic total across just 50 theaters. Several factors influenced the film's trajectory. Festival buzz from its North American premiere at Fantasia, where it won the Cheval Noir Award for Best Feature, boosted early openings in . Ultimately, returns remained limited due to its arthouse distribution strategy via Utopia in the U.S. and the lack of a , aligning with the challenges faced by independent genre films.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Red Rooms received widespread critical acclaim, earning a 96% approval rating on based on 92 reviews, with an average score of 8.1/10, and a score of 80/100 from 16 critics. Critics frequently highlighted the film's tense atmosphere and Gariépy's compelling performance as Kelly-Anne, a model fixated on a serial killer's trial, which anchored the narrative's exploration of obsession. Praise centered on director Pascal Plante's innovative approach to the genre, blending courtroom drama with to critique societal fascination with violence, while the atmospheric direction and meticulous amplified a pervasive sense of dread. For instance, Deadline described it as a "disturbingly brilliant " that refreshingly subverts tropes. The film's stark visuals and subtle tension were also lauded for immersing viewers in Kelly-Anne's unraveling mindset without relying on gore. Some reviewers noted criticisms regarding the pacing in the second act, which occasionally slowed amid extended sequences, potentially diluting momentum. A minority expressed concerns about the film's detached tone risking the glorification of through its unflinching lens on elements and obsession, though this was often seen as intentional in underscoring emotional numbness. Reception evolved from strong initial acclaim at 2023 festivals like Fantasia and Karlovy Vary, where it won multiple awards for its bold storytelling, to sustained positive reviews in the U.S. upon its 2024 theatrical release, solidifying its status as a standout indie thriller.

Accolades

Red Rooms premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2023, where it won the Cheval Noir award for Best Feature. The film also secured awards for Best Screenplay for director Pascal Plante, Outstanding Performance for lead actress Juliette Gariépy, and Best Score for composer Dominique Plante at the same festival. At the 25th Prix Iris in November 2023, Red Rooms (titled Les chambres rouges in French) received 13 nominations, including Best Film, Best Actress for Juliette Gariépy, and Best Screenplay for Pascal Plante. It won Revelation of the Year for Juliette Gariépy and Best Supporting Actress for Laurie Babin. Additional nominations encompassed Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Original Music Score, and Most Successful Film Outside Quebec. In December 2024, the film earned a for Best Foreign Language Film from the . The DiscussingFilm Critic Awards recognized Red Rooms in its 2025 awards, placing third for Best and nominating Gariépy for Best Breakthrough Performance. As of November 2025, Red Rooms has garnered 16 wins and 38 nominations across international film festivals and critics' groups.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22207786/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red_rooms
  3. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/red-rooms-movie-review
  4. https://independenthorrorsociety.com/film-review-red-rooms/
  5. https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/red-rooms-explained-pascal-plante-2024-best-serial-killer-movie-1235053617/
  6. https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/pascal-plante-interview-red-rooms/
  7. https://filmmakermagazine.com/127615-pascal-plante-red-rooms/
  8. https://nemesisfilms.com/films/red-rooms/
  9. https://borrowingtape.com/interviews/red-rooms-interview-with-film-writer-director-pascal-plante
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22207786/fullcredits/
  11. https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/10/24/red-rooms-soundtrack-released/
  12. https://www.kviff.com/en/programme/film/63/40082-red-rooms
  13. https://deadline.com/2023/06/pascal-plante-red-rooms-fantasia-festival-1235411668/
  14. https://cultmtl.com/2023/08/quebec-film-red-rooms-is-a-haunting-serial-killer-thriller-dominique-dussault-interview/
  15. https://www.screendaily.com/news/pascal-plantes-fantasia-winner-red-rooms-scores-us-distribution-deal-exclusive/5185511.article
  16. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/chambres-rouges-Les-%282023-Canada%29
  17. https://www.screendaily.com/news/cyber-thriller-red-rooms-sparks-further-deals-with-uk-eastern-europe-exclusive/5187167.article
  18. https://www.amazon.com/Red-Rooms-Pascal-Plante/dp/B0D1V5XK7N
  19. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt22207786/
  20. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fantasia-pascal-plantes-red-rooms-top-prize-1235547668/
  21. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/red-rooms/
  22. https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/red-rooms-review-pascal-plante-montreal-1236129344/
  23. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/red-rooms-review-pascal-plante-1235526902/
  24. https://deadline.com/2023/07/pascal-plante-red-rooms-review-a-disturbingly-brilliant-and-original-psychological-horror-1235429911/
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/movies/red-rooms-review.html
  26. https://letterboxd.com/brianformo/film/red-rooms/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22207786/reviews/
  28. https://deadline.com/2023/07/fantasia-film-festival-awards-2023-winners-list-1235451136/
  29. https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/fantasia-awards-red-rooms-pascal-plante-1235682994/
  30. https://quebeccinema.ca/la-une/gala-2023-devoilement-des-finalistes
  31. https://chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/2024nominations
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22207786/awards/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.