“Gerwig’s Barbie Meets Back to the Future!” Bourdon & Zylberstein Star in Fall’s French Comedy Hit!

What’s It About?

In a quaint French town, Hélène and Michel, along with their two children, enjoy blissful days typical of the 1950s. Suddenly thrust into 2025, the couple finds themselves in a modern world vastly different from their own.

For Hélène, who has traditionally lived in her husband’s shadow, this is a revolutionary change. However, for Michel, who sees his male privileges disintegrating, it’s a disaster. This time-traveling adventure brings a mix of fresh winds and the scent of yesteryear, ensuring their journey is anything but peaceful.

Imagine a French film that blends “Back to the Future,” “The Visitors,” and “Barbie”! That’s the concept behind “Better Tomorrow,” a comedy that stars Didier Bourdon and Elsa Zylberstein. From 1958 to 2025, the world has changed dramatically, and the couple experiences these changes firsthand. The film cleverly pokes fun at technological advancements and societal shifts.

A Sparkling Pair

Similar to the comedy “Natacha,” which previously brought together Elsa Zylberstein and Didier Bourdon, “Better Tomorrow” also explores the evolving role of women in society. It’s a spirited comedy full of clever ideas, featuring a duo whose banter is sharp and energies mesh well.

“Elsa [Zylberstein] and I bring different vibes; we complement each other perfectly. I tend to be more bass and she’s more soprano. Vinciane [Millereau] gifted us a wonderful comedy duo because I felt that our pairing really worked,” Didier Bourdon remarks.

Elsa Zylberstein adds, “I thought: ‘Fantastic! It’s like Greta Gerwig’s Barbie meets Robert Zemeckis’s Back to the Future. This will be my own “Barbie.”’ The way this story reflects on today’s women immediately drew me in. I love the boldness, exploring new realms. Then I met Vinciane, and she amazed me: she was decisive, meticulous, had thought everything through, and had answers to all my questions. She truly embodied her film.“

“Back to the Future,” a Major Influence

Director Vinciane Millereau, for whom “Better Tomorrow” is the debut feature film, drew inspiration from several beloved hits of French cinema, starting with the iconic “Back to the Future,” which is rated 4.5 out of 5 by viewers (95,716 ratings).

“‘Back to the Future’ was a staple of my teenage years. I love films with a touch of magic. My influences are varied. One of my favorite comedies is ‘La Chèvre’ by Francis Veber, which I’ve watched over and over and know by heart. It was a major source of inspiration for me. I revisited ‘Revolutionary Road’ by Sam Mendes, a film I adore set in the same era as my movie, which fascinated me in terms of its structure. I also drew from Zemeckis and Spielberg, particularly the latter’s recent masterpiece, ‘The Fabelmans.’“

“I also ventured into genre films, which are more my scene than comedy. While my friends watched ‘La Boum’ by Claude Pinoteau, I was watching ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ by Tobe Hooper! I love the works of Sam Raimi, John Carpenter, Dario Argento, Peter Jackson. Knowing these genres allows for limitless creativity. I used this knowledge for the scenes of Michel and Hélène’s first morning in 2025 – like when Michel tells Hélène, ‘Go get the kids and the rifle!’ I also drew from Bernard Herrmann’s music, Hitchcock’s composer, for the scene where they get electrocuted in the laundry room. So, I tried to inject a multitude of references into the film,” she explains.

“Better Tomorrow” is set to premiere in cinemas this Wednesday, October 8, 2025.