Woman in Chains (French title: La Prisonnière) was Clouzot’s final film and his only one in color.
The psychological drama concerns an art gallery owner Stanislas (Laurent Terzieff) and José (Élisabeth Wiene), who is in a relationship with Gilbert (Bernard Fresson), an experimental artist.
An illicit affair begins between José and Stanislas, although she is both intrigued and repulsed by the disturbing photographs he takes of women.
When Stanislas reveals himself to be creepy, even predatory, José remains drawn to him.
Clouzot spins this premise into an exploration of artistic expression, obsession, and dark impulses.
The film bears some similarities to other artistic thrillers of that era, like Peeping Tom in 1960 and Blowup in 1966.
Clouzot makes striking use of color, serving up a quintessentially 1960s aesthetic that boasts vivid imagery, including a memorable dream sequence.
