Netflix acquires Richard Linklater’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’ after Cannes ovation

Richard Linklater’s French-language tribute to Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic Breathless has found a home on Netflix after receiving a rousing reception at Cannes, raising questions about its theatrical release prospects.

• Vibhuti Pathak
• 27 May, 2025

Follow Us

By: Vibhuti Pathak

Richard Linklater’s latest cinematic venture, Nouvelle Vague, has been snapped up by Netflix after making waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film, a love letter to the French New Wave and a dramatic retelling of the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, premiered in competition and earned a standing ovation lasting six and a half minutes. Variety confirmed Netflix’s acquisition of the film, beating out major distributors for the streaming rights.

The deal, however, adds a layer of irony. While Nouvelle Vague pays homage to one of cinema’s most celebrated theatrical milestones, its fate may largely be limited to digital screens. Because of its new streaming home, the film’s theatrical release may be limited to the minimum two-week run required for awards qualification. This raises questions about the accessibility of Linklater’s French-language project in cinemas globally—especially poignant given its subject matter.

At the Cannes premiere, Linklater addressed an emotional audience that included Quentin Tarantino. “It means so much for us to be here tonight,” he said. “Over a year ago, we were filming right here. And we all said: ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could end up here showing our movie?’ Cinema is magic. It meant so much to us to try and recreate the time and place.”

Nouvelle Vague stars Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard, with performances by Zoey Deutch, Adrien Rouyard, and Aubry Dullin. The film marks a milestone for Linklater as his first fully French-language production, further showcasing his range as a director.

With Netflix now backing the film, Nouvelle Vague is poised for a global audience. However, its release strategy will be closely watched—particularly by cinephiles who feel that a film so deeply entrenched in cinematic history deserves a wide theatrical run.