The film is a French-German-Swiss co-production. Principal photography took place from August to October 2013, with most of the filming taking place in Sils Maria, Switzerland. The film follows an established middle-aged actress (Binoche) who is cast as the older lover in a romantic lesbian drama opposite an upstart young starlet (Moretz).

She is overcome with personal insecurities and professional jealousies—all while sexual tension simmers between her and her personal assistant (Stewart).