India, April 12 -- Expectations were sky-high for Audrey Diwan's next feature after the urgent and powerful abortion drama, Happening, which claimed the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2021. None of that urgency has infused her latest offering, Emmanuelle, a shockingly empty update of the erotic French novel. (Also read: The White Lotus Season 3 review: A brutal finale caps off the show's weakest season yet)

The film rests on Noemie Merlant, who stars as a luxury hotel inspector gathering information about the people and the place with quiet curiosity. She is keen to discover what happens behind the executive decisions made by the immaculately-suited manager Margot (Naomi Watts). There is an elusive visitor at the Rosefield Pa...