Pillow Talk

After Margot unsuccessfully reenacts moves from her self defense class with her boyfriend, fear rears its ugly head and she imagines the worst about her best friend Cami’s one night stand. Together, the two women process their experiences with the intimacy that only female friendship has.

Apr 7, 2025 - 16:32

There are certain experiences and emotional landscapes that cinema can open up to us – realities we may never live ourselves, but can begin to understand through the power of storytelling. As a cis male in my 40s, I’ll never truly know the deep, unspoken intimacy of female friendships or fully comprehend the complex, and at times unsettling, dynamics women often navigate with men. That’s precisely why films like Mathilde Hauducoeur’s Pillow Talk are so vital. With a thoughtful and nuanced touch, it offers a window into a world many viewers might not encounter firsthand, encouraging empathy, reflection, and conversation.

Set almost entirely within the intimate confines of bedrooms, Pillow Talk follows two central characters – Margot (Elizabeth O’Donnell) and Cami (Annalisa Plumb) – as they navigate romantic relationships at very different stages. When their paths cross the morning after, their candid conversations shift toward topics like consent and personal safety, making for a compelling and eye-opening watch.

Written by O’Donnell and Plumb, and brought to life through Hauducoeur’s grounded, authentic direction, Pillow Talk draws directly from real-life experiences – a fact that comes as no surprise given the film’s emotional honesty. “We wanted to make something based on our personal experiences and explore the different ways women react to moments that may seem to be consensual, but still leave us feeling violated”, they explain. While acknowledging the immense progress made in the post–MeToo era, they were particularly interested in exploring the murkier, less clear-cut situations – the grey areas of consent that continue to spark crucial, and often uncomfortable, conversations.

Pillow talks begins in the bedroom with Margot and boyfriend discussing her self-defense class

A quietly powerful film, Pillow Talk resonates most through its authenticity. While many women will instantly recognise and relate to the situations and conversations portrayed, for men, the short offers a revealing glimpse into the fear and unease women can experience – even in the presence of men who see themselves as kind, caring, and self-aware. Hauducoeur, however, never delivers this message with a heavy hand. Instead, her direction embraces subtlety and nuance, allowing the story to unfold with honesty and restraint. As she puts it, there “can be humor in dark moments and fragility in lighter ones” – a sentiment the film captures with grace.

Working closely together, Hauducoeur, O’Donnell, and Plumb approached the creation of Pillow Talk in what they describe as “an incredibly collaborative way.” A significant amount of time was devoted to rehearsals, allowing the actors to build the kind of genuine friendship that lies at the heart of the film’s emotional pull. With that foundation in place, the team leant into a naturalistic shooting style – favouring handheld camerawork and natural light – to evoke a deep sense of intimacy. And intimate truly is the word that best defines this film. It unfolds like a private conversation overheard through a cracked door – so raw and real that you feel both hesitant to listen and unable to turn away.