Sabine Azéma is widely lauded for her riveting and complex portrayal of the wealthy widow Madame de Lengwil, often overshadowing other cast members .

Based on Wilkie Collins' 1873 novel The New Magdalen , the story follows Nélie (Lyna Khoudri), a frontline nurse during WWI who assumes the identity of a wealthy woman presumed dead in order to escape a life of poverty. Key Takeaways from Reviews

The film is noted for reimagining Victorian class anxieties through a modern feminist lens , giving the heroine more agency and strength than in the original source material.

Critics frequently highlight the stately beauty of the cinematography and the meticulous production design , which effectively contrasts the chaos of the warfront with the quiet elegance of the villa.

The 2021 French film ( La Place d'une autre ), directed by Aurélia Georges, is generally praised as a visually stunning costume drama that blends elements of an intimate character study with a high-stakes thriller .