Ariane Labed’s 'September & July' Explores Complex Sisterhood and Toxic Dynamics

The debut feature film by Ariane Labed, based on Daisy Johnson’s novel, delves into the fraught relationship between two teenage sisters navigating love, control, and identity.

• The film centers on two sisters, September and July, aged 15 and 16, who share a deeply intertwined yet toxic bond shaped by their domineering mother and social isolation.
• Adapted from Daisy Johnson’s gothic novel 'Sisters,' the story unfolds as the siblings retreat into a secluded world of paranoia and emotional dependency after a mysterious incident.
• Labed’s direction blends dark humor, irony, and a haunting visual style to portray the sisters’ internal struggles and the oppressive dynamics of their relationship.
• Critics have praised the film for its nuanced exploration of sisterhood, power, and identity, as well as its distinctive aesthetic and emotional depth.
• The movie, starring Mia Tharia, Pascale Kann, and Rakhee Thakrar, releases in theaters on February 19, 2025, marking Labed’s transition from acting to directing.

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