L’avenir (2016)

L'avenir poster

English Title: Things to Come
CG Cinéma
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Roman Kolinka
Directed by: Mia Hansen-Løve

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Nathalie Chazeaux (Isabelle Huppert) is a middle-aged philosophy teacher who is dealing with numerous changes in her life involving her elderly mother, her cheating husband and student protests.

Featured Feline: Nathalie’s mother Yvette (Edith Scob) owns a black cat named Pandora. Pandora is first seen when Nathalie goes to check on her mother.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora on bed

After her mother dies, Nathalie and her son go to pick up Pandora, but the cat is hiding behind the radiator. They need a superintendent to come pull the unit away from the wall to get Pandora out. The black cat is extremely heavy!

Things to Come - black cat Pandora behind radiator

Things to Come - black cat Pandora pulled from behind radiator

Even though she is allergic to cats, Nathalie takes Pandora home with her.

Things to Come - Nathalie takes black cat Pandora home

Nathalie’s students love the cat.

Things to Come - students petting black cat Pandora

Pandora stays with Nathalie, giving her company and comfort. In one scene the cat is sitting on a table as Nathalie reads a letter. The cat actor is panting in this scene, which would indicate she was somewhat stressed.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora on table beside Nathalie Isabelle Huppert

Things to Come - black cat Pandora still on table beside Nathalie Isabelle Huppert

Nathalie travels to the country to visit her former student named Fabien (Roman Kolinka) who is living in a home with various anarchists. She brings Pandora with her in a carrier and talks to the cat in the back seat.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora in carrier

At the country home Nathalie releases Pandora, who seems fascinated by her surroundings.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora leaving carrier

Things to Come - black cat Pandora in window

Pandora ends up taking off into the woods. Nathalie calls after her and is concerned when she doesn’t come back. She even shakes dry cat food and calls for Pandora that night.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora running out of house

Things to Come - black cat Pandora running into woods

Pandora returns the next morning and even brings Nathalie a mouse.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora returning to house

Things to Come - black cat Pandora being picked up by Nathalie Isabelle Huppert

As offended as she is about the mouse, Nathalie still gives Pandora a big hug.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora being hugged by Nathalie Isabelle Huppert

Later Nathalie is seen crying on her bed with Pandora beside her. She strokes the cat for comfort.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora lying beside Nathalie Isabelle Huppert crying on bed

Nathalie returns home and brings Pandora back with her.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora peeking out of carrier

Eventually Nathalie returns to the country and leaves Pandora with the anarchists. Pandora hides under the bed.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora hiding under bed

Mia Hanson-Løve based the story on her mother and reportedly asked for her mother’s approval on the script. Her mother only asked that the name of her cat be changed from Desdemona to Pandora to respect the cat’s privacy.

Things to Come - black cat Pandora lying on bed with Nathalie Isabelle Huppert