Just the Two of Us

Made me think of better legal thrillers.

[A] nervy, finely acted domestic thriller.

Just the Two of Us is stronger when it touches upon rejection and escape. [Full review in Spanish]

A twist of absolute poetic justice. [Full review in Spanish]

Grégoire’s simmering and rage at the loss of control carries weight through performance, as does Blanche’s perhaps vain hope of making things sufferable, survivable. We’re talking genre, but not generic.

The emotional resonance in “Just the Two of Us” rests on the incredible subtleties of Virginie Efira’s acting and the layered characterization of Blanche, which gives her a strong foundation to work with.

Donzelli’s film is enticing because it shows the slow buildup of an abusive relationship from the unobstructed perspective of its female lead.


Just the Two of Us is horrifying because it doesn’t stretch credibility or imagination. There is no ultimate revenge and no firm end. An everyday fight for survival which happens across class and cultural milieus.

Donzelli slowly builds tension, though the power of her drama is … undercut by the lack of mystery about Grégoire’s character … Still, the director nevertheless manages to keep us engaged … thanks in no small part to Efira’s magnificent performance.

Just the Two of Us won’t win any points for originality, but it works as a well-constructed drama that checks the boxes of what people watching it want — an intense tale of conflict with two hot people.