The Woman in the Fifth 2012

American writer Tom Ricks arrives in Paris, aiming to be closer to his young daughter, who lives with his ex-wife. It becomes apparent that their divorce stemmed from Tom’s struggles with mental illness, although he seems to have made a recovery. Financially struggling, he takes a position as a night guard for a local crime boss, who runs a dilapidated hostel. In a basement office, his only responsibility is to press a button when a bell rings, hoping that the quiet of the night will aid in the completion of his new novel.

Things take an unexpected turn when he becomes romantically involved with Margit, a captivating and enigmatic widow who imposes peculiar conditions on their encounters: she insists on meeting only at her apartment in the fifth arrondissement, precisely at 5 PM, twice a week, and requests that he refrains from asking about her work or past. Alongside this, he forms a bond with Ania, the Polish barmaid at the hostel, who shares his literary passions.

As their connection deepens, Tom and Ania’s relationship turns physical, but troubles arise when their neighbor begins to blackmail him over the affair. In a shocking twist, the neighbor is soon found dead, and shortly thereafter, Tom’s daughter goes missing. This prompts Tom to believe that some malevolent force has invaded his life, exacting punishment on those who have wronged him. When the police suspect him of his neighbor’s murder, he attempts to use his meetings with Margit as an alibi, only to discover that she has been deceased for 15 years and never lived at the address he provided. In a twist of fate, he is released after police identify the hostel’s owner as the murderer.

Despite the chaos, Tom pursues his affair with Ania but feels compelled to confront Margit once more, declaring that she is not a tangible presence. Margit responds with confidence, asserting that she represents the most genuine love he will ever experience, claiming to understand him deeply. She insists that he sever ties with his muse and bid farewell to his wife and daughter. An intense confrontation ensues when he accuses her of involvement in his daughter’s disappearance, leading to a moment where he attempts to choke her.

In a resolution, Tom’s daughter is discovered wandering in a nearby forest and is joyfully reunited with her mother. As the story concludes, Ania awaits him at the bar, yet Tom ascends the stairs once more towards Margit’s apartment. The film ends with the door to her apartment creaking open, leaving viewers in suspense.