Under the Sand
2000 · Movie · NR · 96 min · ★ 6.7 · 90% critics
After her husband vanishes during a quiet day at the beach, a university professor returns to her routine but can’t accept what happened. As uncertainty lingers and no clear answers arrive, her grief turns into denial, blurring the line between everyday life and what she needs to believe to keep going.
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in the US.
2 hours to watch.
Not currently available to stream, rent, or buy in the US.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Original title
- Sous le Sable
- Years
- 2000
- Release date
- 2001-02-07
- Language
- French
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Critic score
- 90/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.7/10 (194 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a somber, character-focused drama about grief and denial that builds quiet tension rather than big answers; Not for you if you need uplifting energy or clear closure, like in Swimming Pool.
Pros: intense grief portrait; strong central performance; quiet, reflective mood | Cons: very slow pace; bleak, joyless tone; vague, unresolved threads
Themes
- beach
- husband wife relationship
- sadness
- disappearance
- death
Awards & recognition
- César Award — Best Actress · 2002 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Director · 2001 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Actress · 2001 · nominated
- Jameson People's Choice Award — Best Actress · 2001 · nominated
Cast & crew
Charlotte Rampling
as Marie Drillon
Bruno Cremer
as Jean Drillon
Jacques Nolot
as Vincent
Alexandra Stewart
as Amanda
Pierre Vernier
as Gérard
Andrée Tainsy
as Suzanne
Maya Gaugler
as German Woman
Pierre Soubestre
as Policeman
Agathe Teyssier
as In Charge of Luxury Store
Laurence Martin
as Apartment Seller
Directed by François Ozon