
The French Teacher is a 2026 thriller-horror mystery from Brazil, France and Portugal. It follows Graça, a French tutor whose life changes after she becomes involved with an extremist evangelical family and a mysterious plot that threatens her sense of reality.
The French Teacher, also known by its Portuguese title A Professora de Francês, is a 2026 thriller-horror mystery directed by Ricardo Alves Jr. The Brazilian-led production follows Graça, an independent Black woman living in Belo Horizonte and working as a private French teacher.
Her relationship with Clara and her ordinary efforts to support herself are disrupted when she is forced to live with an extremist evangelical family. From there, the story moves toward religious intolerance, a mysterious plot and a growing psychological crisis.
The French Teacher movie details
| Title | The French Teacher |
|---|---|
| Original title | A Professora de Francês |
| Release date | |
| Genres | Thriller, Horror, Mystery |
| Director | Ricardo Alves Jr. |
| Writers | Ricardo Alves Jr., Germano Melo |
| Country | Brazil, France, Portugal |
| Languages | Portuguese, French |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
Graça lives in Belo Horizonte with her French girlfriend, Clara, and earns a living through private French lessons. As a Black lesbian woman from a lower-middle-class background, she faces a difficult new situation when circumstances force her to stay with an extremist evangelical family.
The family gradually draws her into a mysterious plot. The film’s premise places Graça at the center of a story about intolerance, religious fanaticism and the destabilizing effects of an environment she cannot easily escape. Further plot details are best left undisclosed to preserve the mystery.

What to expect
The supplied genres point to a blend of thriller, horror and mystery rather than a straightforward domestic drama. Its premise centers on religious extremism, intolerance and LGBT identity, with Graça’s increasingly precarious circumstances providing the main source of tension.
The setting also gives the story a clear social and cultural frame: a large Brazilian city, a cross-cultural relationship and a family environment shaped by evangelical extremism. The film is presented in Portuguese and French, reinforcing its Brazilian and international context.
Cast and creative team
Grace Passô leads the cast as Graça, with Jehnny Beth playing Clara. Pedro Goifman appears as Tomás, Bárbara Colen as Tainá, Rômulo Braga as Tenório, Rodger Rogério as Raimundo, Elisa Lucinda as Lourdes, Babi Amaral as Ângela and Ítalo Laureano as Tadeu.
Ricardo Alves Jr. directs the film and shares writing credit with Germano Melo. The credited production companies are Entrefilmes, Les Valseurs and Karõ Filmes.
- Grace Passô as Graça
- Pedro Goifman as Tomás
- Jehnny Beth as Clara
- Bárbara Colen as Tainá
- Rômulo Braga as Tenório
- Rodger Rogério as Raimundo
- Elisa Lucinda as Lourdes
- Babi Amaral as Ângela
- Ítalo Laureano as Tadeu
Release and production context
The French Teacher is listed as a 2026 release from Brazil, France and Portugal, with a release date of September 24, 2026. Its spoken languages are Portuguese and French. The production companies are Entrefilmes, Les Valseurs and Karõ Filmes. No runtime is supplied.
Production companies: Entrefilmes, Les Valseurs, Karõ Filmes
Movies Dock view
With its combination of mystery, horror and thriller elements, The French Teacher builds its premise around a woman caught between personal vulnerability and an extreme religious environment. The film’s international production background and bilingual setting add context to a story focused on intolerance, identity and psychological disorientation.
Frequently asked questions
What is The French Teacher about?
It follows Graça, a private French teacher in Belo Horizonte who becomes involved in a mysterious plot after being forced to live with an extremist evangelical family.
What is the original title of The French Teacher?
Its original title is A Professora de Francês.
Who directs The French Teacher?
Ricardo Alves Jr. directs the film.
Who stars in The French Teacher?
The cast includes Grace Passô, Pedro Goifman, Jehnny Beth, Bárbara Colen, Rômulo Braga, Rodger Rogério, Elisa Lucinda, Babi Amaral and Ítalo Laureano.
When is The French Teacher scheduled for release?
The listed release date is September 24, 2026.















