The Creatures (1966): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1966, The Creatures is a fantasy, drama, mystery and science fiction film directed by Agnès Varda, running about 94 minutes.

What it’s about. After a road accident, a writer, Edgar, and his wife, Mylène, take up residence on an island off the coast of France to recuperate. Edgar soon recovers from his injuries and begins writing his next novel, seeking inspiration from the local people. His wife, however, has lost her voice and can only communicate through written notes. The islanders grow suspicious of the reclusive couple, their unease soon turning to aggression. Edgar is equally anxious about his neighbors, particularly a solitary widower, Ducasse, who has taken charge of a large consignment of crates. What secret project is Ducasse engaged in – and can it explain the strange behavior of the islanders?

Who’s in it. The Creatures stars Catherine Deneuve as Mylène, Michel Piccoli as Edgar Piccoli, Eva Dahlbeck as Michele Quellec and Marie-France Mignal as Viviane Quellec, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, The Creatures has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Creatures page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Creatures tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.