Valley of Love 2016

Gérard and Isabelle, a French couple estranged for many years, find themselves reuniting at a desolate motel in California. Both have received a haunting letter from their son, Michaël, who tragically took his own life in San Francisco six months prior. In his letter, he beckons them to visit specific locations in Death Valley on scheduled days, promising he will reappear for them. While Isabelle remains petite and charming, she is taken aback by Gérard’s drastic change; he now appears unhealthy and significantly overweight.

Their reunion is marked by a series of bickering and sentimental reflections—oscillating between the potential rekindling of their past romance and the frustration brought on by each other’s presence. Though initially skeptical about the purpose of this journey, and suffering under the oppressive desert sun, they choose to obey Michaël’s directives.

One evening, as they are back at the motel, Isabelle is seized by panic and summons Gérard to her side. She believes she felt the presence of an intruder—possibly Michaël himself—who allegedly gripped her ankles, leaving behind an unusual inflammation. In a suspenseful twist, as Gérard ventures out alone into the wilderness, he returns, visibly shaken, convinced he encountered Michaël, who had grasped his wrists. Soon after, both Gérard and Isabelle endure the same baffling inflammation.

The film concludes on an ambiguous note, inviting the audience to reflect on the profound implications of this eerie experience and whether it might serve to bridge the emotional chasm between them once more.