The story revolves around Sarah Morton (played by Charlotte Rampling), a successful but emotionally detached British crime novelist. Sarah is struggling with writer’s block and seeks refuge in the French countryside at her publisher’s secluded summer home.
At the villa, Sarah enjoys the tranquility and solitude, but her peace is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Julie (played by Ludivine Sagnier), her publisher’s uninhibited and promiscuous daughter. Despite their contrasting personalities, Sarah and Julie form an uneasy bond as they navigate their interactions.
As Sarah becomes increasingly intrigued by Julie’s lifestyle and sexual freedom, she begins to draw inspiration from her for her new book. However, their relationship takes a darker turn when Julie’s behavior becomes erratic and manipulative, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
In the climax of the film, Sarah confronts Julie about her motives and the truth behind her actions. Julie reveals that she orchestrated the entire situation as a form of rebellion against her controlling father and as a means to escape her own suffocating reality.
In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Sarah’s interactions with Julie were a figment of her imagination, and Julie is actually a character from Sarah’s novel. Sarah’s obsession with Julie and her desire for freedom manifest in the form of a vivid fantasy, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
In the end, Sarah returns to London, where she experiences a newfound sense of liberation and inspiration for her writing. However, the ambiguity of her experiences in the French countryside leaves viewers questioning the true nature of reality and fiction.
“Swimming Pool” is a thought-provoking and psychologically complex film that explores themes of desire, creativity, and identity. With its atmospheric setting, nuanced performances, and suspenseful storyline, the movie keeps audiences captivated until the very end.