Stunning and Emotional: August’s Top Film Scores 4/5, Wins Two Cannes Awards!

Should we be surprised by this outcome? Yes, if one assumed that the top spot was reserved for the latest Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or winner. However, with an average rating of 3.98 out of 5, it only ranks third among the highest-rated films of August, trailing behind “A Major Shortcut” (4) and “Suddenly” (4.04), the latest film from Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who previously captivated us with “Drive My Car” and is back with this feature starring Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto, which American distributor Neon is hoping to push to the Oscars.

Like “Fjord,” “Suddenly” shone in the Competition at the latest Cannes Film Festival, where it was a favorite for the Palme d’Or before receiving a double acting award for its two lead actresses. Three months after this triumph, the lengthy film has converted its trial run in French cinemas, already attracting 160,739 viewers and on track to break the director’s record in France, still held by “Drive My Car” with 222,112 transported passengers.

With an impressive average of 4.04 out of 5 based on 963 ratings, “Suddenly” stands out today as the best new release of August 2026. This acclaim is understandable, considering the gentle narrative spanning 3 hours and 15 minutes, which manages to captivate audiences despite the serious themes addressed in the story about a nursing home director who tries to implement an innovative care philosophy based on listening and the dignity of the residents, and forms a friendship with a Japanese director suffering from cancer.

The Director’s Highest-Rated Film Yet

Released on August 12, it is to date the highest-rated film by the director and the only one to have surpassed an average rating of 4 out of 5.

Select Reviews from Users Who Rated “Suddenly” 5 out of 5

Olivier T. : “A film that is truly one of a kind. Unlike anything else ever made. A series of magical moments. A film about humanity at its finest. Complex, challenging topics, but the magic is there. This 3-hour 15-minute film, sometimes talkative but never dull. With a cast in complete harmony and synergy. You leave the film enriched. Exceptional.”

circusstar : “What a wonderful film. Sensitive and moving, the 3 hours and 15 minutes were a magical and graceful experience. The award given to the two excellent actresses is more than deserved. Lots of poetry, harmony, and beauty.”

“A Film That Is Unique in Its Own Right”

dejihem : “No need for polished staging and enticing shots to make a captivating film. When I think that all the scenes were shot in a real nursing home! The pace is a bit slow, but as it progresses, the interest grows, and all the viewers, who see the film will learn a lot, especially about how to end one’s life with dignity.”

Pierre Kuzor : “The film is incredibly gentle, beautifully poetic, and features several scenes of bravado (…) The two actresses alternate between French and Japanese effortlessly, and their acting synergy is beyond mere performance. This film is based on sight, touch, listening, and balance. It catches you emotionally at totally unexpected moments. ‘Suddenly’ is a true cerebral and sensory massage that leaves you genuinely reassured and soothed. A therapeutic, beneficial experience. A must-see!”

“It’s the Cinema We Love Over and Over Again”

Tom : “Beautiful, the Japanese touch in this French setting is astonishing. A real reassessment of how we view our elders and how to support them in their final moments. 3 hours and 15 minutes flew by without notice.”

Aficionado : “A gem, a necessary film that everyone should see to understand the concept of ‘humanitude,’ a care method applied to the most fragile that it’s time to generalize in all care facilities. The staging is subtle, just like the play of these two magnificent actresses. It’s the cinema we continue to love. Thank you, Mr. Hamaguchi.”

And you? Were you moved by “Suddenly”?

* Ratings stopped on Friday, August 28, 2026