Swimming Pool Review (2003) — 73% Celluloid Score
Directed by François Ozon · 2003 ·
Is Swimming Pool worth watching?
Yes. Swimming Pool (2003) earns a 73% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (84%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%). See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as La piscina Swimming Pool: À Beira da Piscina スイミング・プール 스위밍 풀 泳池情杀案 池畔謀殺案 Havuz Hồ Bơi Kinh Hoàng
Theatrical release Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists MUBI, BFI Player, StudioCanal Presents in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.
Where to watch Swimming Pool by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Japan | U-NEXT |
| South Korea | Wavve, TVING |
| United Kingdom | MUBI, BFI Player, StudioCanal Presents |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (84/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (72%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (70/100).
- Celluloid Score 73% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
- Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers
Not ideal for
- Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Swimming Pool worth watching?
Yes — Swimming Pool earns a 73% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits short runtime — easy weeknight watch, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (3.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
François Ozon’s sunlit psychological thriller took Best Feature at the inaugural 2003 World Film Festival of Bangkok — still a sharp entry point to the fest’s early competitive slate.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics (84%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%).
What is Swimming Pool about?
A British crime novelist travels to her publisher's upmarket summer house in Southern France to seek solitude in order to work on her next book. However, the unexpected arrival of the publisher's daughter induces complications and a subsequent crime.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Swimming Pool (2003) Review: A Novelist's Sun-Baked Puzzle
★★★½☆
Swimming Pool is François Ozon's teasing psychological thriller, with Charlotte Rampling as a crime writer whose French retreat is disrupted by a reckless young guest.
Yes, with reservations. Fans of slow-burn, ambiguous thrillers and of Charlotte Rampling will be absorbed, but anyone who needs clear answers may find it more tease than payoff.
Swimming Pool stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
Reader takes
No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.
Swimming Pool: frequently asked questions
Is Swimming Pool worth watching?
Yes. Swimming Pool (2003) has a Celluloid Score of 73%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Swimming Pool?
Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan; Wavve, TVING in South Korea; MUBI, BFI Player, StudioCanal Presents in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Swimming Pool?
Swimming Pool runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
What is Swimming Pool rated?
Swimming Pool is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, 19 in South Korea and R15+ in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Swimming Pool?
Swimming Pool is directed by François Ozon and stars Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier, Charles Dance, Marc Fayolle, Jean-Marie Lamour.
What is the Metascore for Swimming Pool?
Metacritic's Metascore for Swimming Pool is 70 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
More Like This
Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like Swimming Pool →
Featured The Silence of the Lambs
Crime, Thriller · 1h 59m
The Crime Is Mine
Comedy, Thriller · 1h 43m
Featured One Battle After Another
Thriller, Crime · 2h 42m
Cannes 2018 Shoplifters
Drama, Crime · 2h 0m