At first glance, When Fall Is Coming appears to be a gentle drama befitting its title. It follows the aging protagonist Michelle and her best friend Marie-Claude as they navigate everyday family dramas involving unruly adult children. But true to Ozon's style, the film takes a sharp and unexpected turn, slipping into thriller territory with echoes of Claude Chabrol. Ozon's 24th feature may not possess the razor-sharp edge of his earlier films, but it is graceful and assured, reflecting a filmmaker, and characters, who've entered their autumn years with poise. Some may claim his prime has passed, but this film suggests a deepening maturity. The film is not without bite: from the opening sermon on Mary Magdalene to a poisonous mushroom subplot, its carefully planted foreshadowing pays off late in the film. The reunion with Ludivine Sagnier, two decades after Swimming Pool (2003), is a delight. But Hélène Vincent's performance as Michelle is the true standout. (MOON Seok)