Gentle Monster (film)

Lucy, a successful pianist, moves with her family from Munich to the countryside to support her partner Philip after he suffers burnout, sacrificing her own career in the process. Elsa, a special investigator, struggles with the responsibility of caring for her father, who suffers from dementia. Both women face the dark truths of the men in their life. ==Cast==

Development Gentle Monster was produced by Alexander Gehr and Johanna Scherz at the Vienna-based company Film AG, in co-production with Germany's Komplizen Film and France's Kazak Productions, alongside Sweden's Kjellson & Wik and Film i Väst, and the broadcasters ORF (Film/Fernsehabkommen), ZDF and ZDF/Arte. The production was supported by the Austrian Film Institute, German Federal Film Fund, Filmfonds Wien, Eurimages - Council of Europe, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Lower Austria, Cinestyria Filmcommission and Fonds. It was selected as one of the projects presented at the 2025 Marché du Film Investors Circle initiative, where it was awarded the main ArteKino International Prize. Filming Principal photography began in September 2025. Filming took place in Niederschleinz in Sitzendorf an der Schmida in November 2025. Filming was also planned to take place in Altaussee. Judith Kaufmann served as cinematographer, the music was composed by Camille and Ulrike Kofler was responsible for the editing. ==Release==

Gentle Monster was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere in May 2026. International sales are handled by Mk2 Films. The film is scheduled to be released theatrically in Germany by Alamode Film in autumn or winter of 2026, and in France by Ad Vitam in 2027. ==Reception==