Last Updated on 6 June 2026 by frenchflicks
Acclaimed director Hafsia Herzi returns to U.S. screens with her latest feature, The Little Sister (La Petite Dernière). This absorbing coming-of-age drama follows a young woman’s complex journey through identity, family loyalty, and love.
What is The Little Sister about?
Based on the acclaimed book by Fatima Daas, The Little Sister centers on Fatima (played by newcomer Nadia Melliti), a 17-year-old girl and the youngest of three daughters in a caring French-Algerian family. As she takes her first steps into university life in Paris, Fatima begins to navigate a world of new friendships, dating, and her budding attraction to women. Treading carefully between her emerging desires and her deep loyalty to her traditional family, she must confront a heartrending and timeless dilemma: How can one stay true to oneself when reconciling different parts of one’s identity feels impossible?
Written and directed by Hafsia Herzi, the film features an impressive ensemble cast including Nadia Melliti, Ji-Min Park (Return to Seoul), Louis Memmi, Mouna Soualem, and Melissa Guers.
Where to Watch The Little Sister in Theaters
Stay tuned! Theater locations and ticket links will be updated here as they are announced.
Why You Should Watch The Little Sister in Theaters
Ever since its festival debut, the film has captured the hearts of American critics, who have praised both Herzi’s sensitive direction and the film’s breakout lead performance.
US media outlets are calling it a must-watch:
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Vibrantly felt yet impressively controlled — and blessed with a stone-cold stunner of a central performance — The Little Sister is indeed an instant classic of the genre, as moving in its humanism as it is sexy.” – Jon Frosch
- The New Yorker: “In her warm and absorbing drama The Little Sister, [Hafsia Herzi] coaxes quietly powerful work from Nadia Melliti” – Justin Chang
- Elle: “Soulfully lived-in and intimately observed … led by a stunningly assured performance by Nadia Melliti” – Tomris Laffly
- Deadline: “This is the kind of talent Cannes urgently needs more of” – Damon Wise
- Next Best Picture: “Herzi’s direction highlights her phenomenal cast in a painstakingly delicate way, threading the tender line of the plot with ease… The Little Sister is cohesive, well-paced, and nuanced, as it boasts a clear and direct vision.” – Anna Miller
US Release Details
Directed by: Hafsia Herzi
Written by: Hafsia Herzi (Based on the book by Fatima Daas)
Cast: Nadia Melliti, Ji-Min Park, Louis Memmi, Mouna Soualem, Melissa Guers, Nemo Schiffman, Rita Benmannana, Vincent Pasdermadjian
Runtime: 106 minutes
U.S. Distributor: Strand Releasing
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