Audrey Diwan’s Emmanuelle Trailer Teases a Bold Reimagining of an Erotic Classic

Decal Releasing has unveiled the first trailer for Emmanuelle, a daring and visually lush new take on one of erotic cinema’s most iconic characters. Directed by Audrey Diwan (Happening), the film is inspired by Emmanuelle Arsan’s cult novel and offers a fresh, female-led perspective on the story of desire, freedom, and elusive pleasure. With a release date set for June 6th, 2025, the film is already stirring buzz among cinephiles.

Noémie Merlant (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) stars as Emmanuelle, a woman untethered from her past and on a quest to rediscover pleasure and intimacy. Her journey takes her to the pulsating heart of Hong Kong, a city portrayed with hypnotic sensuality. There, amid a series of fleeting encounters, she meets Kei (played by Will Sharpe), a mysterious man who continually slips through her grasp—igniting a chase that’s as emotional as it is erotic.

The trailer hints at a film that’s more than just provocative—it’s deeply introspective. Co-written by Diwan and Rebecca Zlotowski, the screenplay centers Emmanuelle’s inner world, elevating the material from mere titillation to an exploration of feminine agency and longing. With Naomi Watts, Jamie Campbell Bower, Chacha Huang, and Anthony Wong rounding out the cast, the film promises a blend of art-house allure and raw emotional complexity.

By casting a distinctly modern, feminist lens on a story long rooted in male fantasy, Diwan’s Emmanuelle aims to redefine the character for a new generation. Moody, evocative, and sensually charged, the film invites audiences to witness a woman reclaiming her narrative—and her body—on her own terms.