Season's Beatings (1999): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1999, Season's Beatings is a comedy and drama film directed by Danièle Thompson, running about 106 minutes. “'Tis the Season to be Jolly!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Christmas, family, and infidelity. Yvette's husband has died, and her grown daughters join her at the grave: Sonia, wealthy, bourgeois, and generous; Louba, living with their dad Stanislas, singing at a Russian restaurant, penniless, the mistress for the past 12 years of a man who will never leave his wife; Milla, the youngest, acerbic, lonesome. Christmas was when they learned their parents were divorcing 25 years ago. Over the next few days, yuletide depression, Louba's pregnancy, Sonia's crumbling marriage, Stanislas's overtures to Yvette, and Milla's attraction to the man who's her father's rent-free lodger lead each one to re-examine self, family, and hopes. Is renewal possible?

Who’s in it. Season's Beatings stars Sabine Azéma as Louba, Emmanuelle Béart as Sonia, Charlotte Gainsbourg as Milla Robin and Claude Rich as Stanislas, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.9/10, Season's Beatings has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on France Channel Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Season's Beatings page.

If you liked it. Fans of Season's Beatings tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.