THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH

Cinemavixion Review

Paweł Pawlikowski's "The Woman in the Fifth" is a psychological thriller that plunges into the fractured psyche of American novelist Tom Ricks, portrayed with compelling weariness by Ethan Hawke. Arriving in Paris with the desperate hope of reconciling with his estranged wife and daughter, Ricks finds his plans derailed, leading him to a desolate hostel on the city's periphery. It is here, amidst his struggle for survival as a night guard, that he encounters the enigmatic Margit, played with captivating allure by Kristin Scott Thomas. Their ensuing intense relationship acts as a catalyst for a series of increasingly bizarre and inexplicable events, suggesting a descent into a reality where an unseen force seems to dictate Ricks's fate. The film, co-written by Pawlikowski and Douglas Kennedy, masterfully blends elements of drama, mystery, and thriller, creating an atmosphere of mounting dread and disorientation. While it garnered a mixed reception, with a Metacritic score of 57 and an IMDb rating of 5.3, it remains a thought-provoking exploration of obsession, guilt, and the unreliability of perception. The performances from Hawke and Scott Thomas are central to the film's unsettling power, anchoring the narrative even as it veers into surreal territory. "The Woman in the Fifth" is a film that lingers, inviting contemplation on the thin veil between sanity and delusion.