The Richest Woman in the World

The Richest Woman in the World

The Richest Woman in the World (French: La Femme la plus riche du monde) is a 2025 comedy-drama film directed by Thierry Klifa, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cédric Anger and Jacques Fieschi, loosely based on the Bettencourt affair. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Marina Foïs and Raphaël Personnaz, it follows an heiress whose immense fortune shapes her relationships, public image, and emotional life.

The film had its world premiere out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May. It was theatrically released in France by Haut et Court on 29 October.

Plot

The Richest Woman in the World

Marianne Farrère, heir to a major cosmetics empire and considered the richest woman in the world, meets Pierre‑Alain Fantin, a Parisian writer‑photographer, during a photoshoot. Their unexpected encounter develops into a close and ambiguous friendship that blends admiration, fascination, and tension. As Marianne navigates her immense wealth, she faces family secrets, shifting loyalties, and a series of increasingly high‑stakes emotional and financial entanglements.

Cast

The Richest Woman in the World

• Isabelle Huppert as Marianne Farrère • Laurent Lafitte as Pierre-Alain Fantin • Marina Foïs as Frédérique Spielman • Raphaël Personnaz as Jérôme Bonjean • André Marcon as Guy Farrère • Mathieu Demy as Jean-Marc Spielman • Joseph Olivennes as Raphaël d'Alloz • Micha Lescot as De Veray • Paul Beaurepaire as Charles Spielman

Thierry Klifa at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

Release

The Richest Woman in the World

The film had its world premiere out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May. It was theatrically released in France by Haut et Court on 29 October.

Reception

Critical response

Writing for Variety, Guy Lodge described the film as a sharply observed parable about wealth and influence, noting Huppert's commanding presence in the lead role and the film's mixture of social critique and dark humor.