Typical of Ozon, the film peels back the polished layers of middle-class French life to reveal hidden longings and transgressions. Critical Reception The New Girlfriend (2014)
The narrative takes a sharp turn when Claire visits David unannounced and discovers him dressed in his late wife’s clothes. Rather than being repulsed, Claire eventually becomes his confidante, helping him develop a female persona named . What begins as a shared secret evolves into a complex "sisterhood" that challenges Claire’s own marriage and her understanding of identity. Key Themes
The story follows (Anaïs Demoustier), a young woman mourning the sudden death of her lifelong best friend, Laura (Isild Le Besco). Claire has promised to look after Laura's husband, David (Romain Duris), and their newborn baby.
David's transformation into Virginia is framed as a form of "bereavement therapy," allowing both characters to keep Laura's memory alive through performance.
The film rejects rigid labels, exploring cross-dressing not as a fetish but as a "personal liberation" and a way to navigate profound loss.