Angelina Jolie’s Couture: A Star’s Return Amid Mixed Reviews and Critical Disappointment

Angelina Jolie, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses, made a notable appearance at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on September 21, 2025.

At 50 years old, Jolie captivated audiences and media alike with her elegance, poise, and sharp presence, reaffirming her status as a timeless star.

Her return to the big screen was marked by her starring role in the film Couture, a drama co-produced by France and the United States, which premiered at the festival amid high expectations.

However, despite Jolie’s compelling presence, the film itself has met with a wave of mixed to negative reviews from critics, sparking debate about its artistic merit and narrative execution.

The Film and Its Ambitious Themes

Couture is a drama directed by French filmmaker Alice Winocour, known for her focus on intimate, character-driven stories often exploring themes of the body, identity, and human vulnerability.

The film centers on Maxine Walker, played by Angelina Jolie, an American film director invited to Paris to shoot a project during Paris Fashion Week.

Maxine’s storyline takes a dramatic turn when she is diagnosed with breast cancer, a plotline that draws clear inspiration from Jolie’s own life experiences, as she publicly underwent preventive double mastectomy after discovering a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.

Alongside Maxine’s story, the film follows two other women navigating the high-pressure world of fashion: Ada, an 18-year-old aspiring model from South Sudan seeking opportunities in Paris, and Angèle, a freelance makeup artist working behind the scenes of fashion shows.

These intersecting narratives aim to explore the complex realities of women’s bodies, careers, and identities within the glamorous yet demanding sphere of haute couture.

A Star-Studded Premiere and Public Reception

Angelina Jolie’s presence at the San Sebastian Film Festival was met with enthusiasm and admiration.

Fans braved rain to catch a glimpse of the actress, whose radiant appearance and confident demeanor stole the spotlight.

Her remarks on the political climate in the United States, warning about the dangers of deep societal divisions, also drew significant attention, highlighting her role as not only an entertainer but also a vocal advocate on pressing issues.

Despite the excitement surrounding Jolie’s attendance and the film’s premiere, Couture itself failed to fully resonate with critics and audiences.

The film’s reception on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes hovered at a modest 67%, reflecting a lukewarm response that fell short of the expectations for a project with such a high-profile lead.

Critical Voices: Disappointment and Unfulfilled Potential

Leading critics from major publications were quick to express their reservations about Couture.

Benjamin Lee of The Guardian gave the film a harsh 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as “dull” and lacking in depth.

He noted the ironic disconnect between Jolie’s real-life courage and the film’s inability to convey genuine emotional resonance.

Lee criticized the screenplay and direction for failing to develop Maxine’s character fully, resulting in a portrayal that felt superficial and unengaging.

Lee also pointed out the lack of chemistry between Jolie and her co-star Louis Garrel, who plays a handsome cinematographer involved in a brief romantic subplot.

The on-screen relationship was described as dry and uninspired, with flirtation and intimacy scenes lacking warmth or authenticity.

He attributed these flaws to director Winocour’s hesitant storytelling style, which seemed to avoid conflict and risk, leaving the drama flat and uninvolving.

Similarly, David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter echoed these sentiments, calling the film’s reflection on mortality “shallow” and its narrative structure “disjointed.”
Rooney argued that weaving together three women’s stories should have enriched the film’s texture but instead led to imbalance and fragmentation.

While acknowledging Jolie’s star power and screen presence, he lamented that the script did not offer her enough substance to showcase her talents fully.

The Style and Tone: A French Minimalism That Missed the Mark

Owen Gleiberman of Variety described Couture as adopting a “neutral” and “understated” French cinematic style, which made the film feel more like a documentary than a dramatic feature.

While this approach may appeal to fans of minimalist filmmaking, Gleiberman felt it diminished the inherent drama and glamour of the fashion world, making the movie feel flat and uneventful.

The film’s failure to capture the dazzling and sometimes ruthless nature of haute couture was seen as a missed opportunity.

Fashion, often depicted as a world of spectacle and high stakes, was rendered here as mundane and uneventful, stripping the story of much of its potential tension and allure.

The Challenge of Translating Personal Experience to Screen

One of the most talked-about aspects of Couture is how closely the character of Maxine parallels Angelina Jolie’s own life, particularly her public battle with cancer risk and preventive surgery.

While this autobiographical element promised an intimate and powerful narrative, critics argue that the film did not capitalize on this potential.

Instead of delving deeply into Maxine’s emotional journey, the film opts for a restrained and surface-level exploration that left many viewers wanting more insight and empathy.

This restraint, some suggest, may have been a deliberate choice by Winocour but ultimately resulted in a lack of emotional engagement.

The Broader Implications for Angelina Jolie’s Career

Couture arrives at a pivotal moment in Angelina Jolie’s career, as she continues to balance her roles as an actress, director, and humanitarian.

Her decision to return to acting with a complex, personal role signals her commitment to challenging projects that go beyond conventional Hollywood fare.