"You're weak, and you're sick. You can't see it yet, but you won't survive this. Either of you."
— Amad
Passages is a 2023 French drama film directed by Ira Sachs.
It is about a gay married couple — filmmaker Tomas (Franz Rogowski) and artist Martin (Ben Whishaw) — and the fallout after Tomas impulsively begins an affair with Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a young schoolteacher.
Following a debut at Sundance, the film was released in French theaters on 28 June 2023.
Tropes:
- Bisexual Love Triangle: Martin <> Tomas <> Agathe. Martin is Tomas' artistic and sensitive husband, Agathe is the bright new pretty young thing who makes Tomas feel 'alive'. Tomas flip-flops between the two of them throughout the film, eventually ending up with neither as they both become sick of his shit.
- Meet the In-Laws: After Tomas knocks up his girlfriend Agathe, he meets her parents, who are dismissive of him and don't think he will be a good father to Agathe's baby. Agathe eventually comes to agree with them and has an abortion.
- Right Through the Wall: Played for drama: Agathe not only hears Martin and Tomas having sex in the next room, she stays awake the entire encounter. And then promptly breaks up with Tomas.
- Show Within a Show: The film opens on Tomas wrapping up the filming of his latest movie, Passages. He edits and worries about its reception throughout the film.
- Sex with the Ex: Tomas and Martin have a couple of liaisons even after Tomas has ostensibly left Martin and moved into Agathe's place. Martin eventually realizes Tomas will keep stringing him along and breaks up with him for good.
- Title Drop: The film's title, Passages, is also that of the in-universe film Tomas is working on.
