The Ultimatum: France

A NETFLIX SERIES

If we don't get married, it's over between us.

-I need some time. -You have three weeks.

You're here because one of you has issued the other an ultimatum.

I'm tired of waiting. If we don't get married, we're done.

AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIENCE

You love your partner, but are you really made for each other?

To answer this question, you'll change partners.

It's weird to think

Scott will spend three weeks with a pretty girl.

You will build a new routine, a new relationship.

I'm living my best life. I'm just loving it. That's it.

There was a real feeling, a real connection.

And you'll have to respond

to the ultimatum.

I'd like a ring.

FOR THE CHOICE OF A LIFETIME

I'm the one who gave the ultimatum to Richy.

I wanted to scare him, but now I'm the one who's scared.

She's like me, and I really like that. Am I with the right woman?

We're just not made for each other. We're both good.

Just not together.

I know I shouldn't have let it all happen, but as a woman,

someone showing interest touched me.

You're just a scumbag. I swear.

I'm out of here.

Maybe you're not compatible.

It'd annoy me to have done this to get engaged

and then leave single.

I know I'm making the most important decision of my life.

You're asking me to wait again and I can't.

This is bullshit.

I want to show you that I'll always be here for you.

I want you to become my wife.

My name is Sophianne. I'm 31.

I'm a singer-songwriter, and I'm in a relationship with Lina.

TOGETHER FOR 2 YEARS

Since I was a kid, my dream has been to live in the US,

to make it in the music industry, to work with the people

who inspired me during my childhood.

And I'd like Lina to marry me and follow me in this American journey.

The problem is, she doesn't want to go

for now.

Never.

Thanks.

I'm not prepared to live someone else's dream.

It's a problem to the point that no one will make any concessions.

Not me, not him. Neither of us will budge.

This is very nice.

I've already tried to compromise with Lina,

but it hasn't panned out.

That's why I'm issuing an ultimatum.

-Hello. -Hey.

-Hello. -I'm Sophianne.

-I'm Lina. -Théo and Romane.

-Nice to meet you. -You too.

TOGETHER FOR 2 YEARS

When I met her, it was love at first sight.

-That night, around 4 a.m., it was... -My father shouldn't know about this.

My parents are real sticklers for marriage.

So I'm really not considering living with a man without being married.

It's a deal-breaker to me.

I've made a lot of sacrifices for my family,

and now it's time for me to enjoy my life.

I want to take time for myself, and that's why marriage comes second.

I won't be pressured into marriage. I'll only get married if I want to.

I can't stay in this relationship without being married.

Especially after four, five, six years.

This is why I'm issuing the ultimatum now.

I'm ready to take the risk of losing him

so he at least realizes we have to move on to the next step

and so I can at least get a wedding.

TOGETHER FOR 5 1/2 YEARS

Lindsay and I met at a small party in our town.

I was minding my own business. Then I turned around, and what did I see?

A beauty.

Love at first sight guaranteed.

-Hello. -Hey!

Your names?

Scott and Lindsay. It sounds very American.

-It does. -But we don't speak any English.

Lindsay gave me an ultimatum today.

She absolutely wants to get married, and I'm outright against it.

Marriage is a childhood dream of mine.

I wanna get married and have children.

He doesn't agree with what I want,

so honestly it's really hard.

I won't budge on this because everything's taken for granted in married life.

No more effort. No more seduction.

All the little things that make a relationship work.

I love Lindsay more than anything else, but marriage has no value to me

and it's out of the question. Simple as that.

I hope Scott will change his mind on marriage and children

and maybe accept my ultimatum.

I'd like a ring.

Here.

A beautiful ring.

TOGETHER FOR 5 1/2 YEARS

Next up...

Hello.

-Hi. -Hello.

Not too stressed? A bit?

Welcome to the Ultimatum.

Six couples.

You're all different, yet you're all facing the same problem,

because one of you has given the other an ultimatum:

marry or move on.

Sarah and I have been together for two years.

After two years, I wanna take the next step and marry her.

I'm issuing Sarah an ultimatum today so we get married and have kids.

Sarah and I met on social media.

I was really attracted her, and I quickly let her know8

by liking her photos and the lady "recepted."

You mean "was receptive."

-Yeah. -Sorry.

I had to.

When we met, we hit it off immediately.

The next day, we wanted to see each other and live together.

And frankly, we're really

very happy, really.

My mother took it very badly when I moved in with Sarah.

I grew up with this belief that a man and woman have to get married

before living together. My mother raised me like that.

With Sarah, I put my convictions aside out of love.

Two years on, nothing has changed.

I know she's the love of my life.

-It's... -That's so cute.

It's... I've never felt what I feel for her with anybody else.

I really don't want to get married. The idea of it puts me off.

It's like a prison to me. You're committed to the other person.

It's like you can't go back.

Frankly, when it comes to children and marriage,

it's a hard pass.

Even in ten years, I'll still say no.

At the end of this, if Sarah isn't ready,

it's over because I can't take it anymore.

-He's direct. -He's tough.

An ultimatum isn't always the best way to get what you want.

But it certainly is a good way to get the answers you need.

You love your partner, but is it for the right reasons?

Are you really made for each other?

In order to find out, you'll change partners.

Changing partners is really putting pressure on me.

It's unsettling.

I think I'll suck it up...

to not go crazy.

You have five days to choose an experience partner.

Once that's done, you'll live with this partner for the three weeks.

You'll get to know them and introduce them to your family and friends.

No way.

This time apart will give you unique chance

to discover what you want more than anything in love.

And who knows? Maybe the grass is greener on the other side.

It's the greenest here.

-The grass. -No.

Through this experience, I expect to see other points of view,

to see solutions I wouldn't have seen

regarding this relationship issue.

The goal isn't to leave with someone else.

Although we don't know what will happen.

Lina may meet someone and fall in love immediately,

and it could happen to me too.

After the cohabitation period,

you'll go back to your current partner to talk about your relationship.

And after two weeks,

you'll have to respond to the ultimatum you've been given.

Tough.

Today, you're all free.

Free to say no.

Awful.

Free to fall in love with someone else.

Or free to leave together happier than ever

and get married.

That's a nice ending.

Yuck!

I hope so.

Everything's possible here.

I could meet someone I like more than Lindsay.

I'm excited and anxious at the same time, but this will let us know

if the grass is greener or if it will comfort me in the idea

of living my life with Lindsay.

Whatever happens, there'll be a before and an after the ultimatum.

The experience starts now. This is your last evening together.

Catherine seems super stressed.

She's taking a risk because I know she's thinking,

"Will Richy stay with me?"

"Will he like another girl?"

I feel it'll be very complicated for her.

More for her than me.

ORIGINAL COUPLES LAST NIGHT TOGETHER

Let's toast with our soup.

To our last evening... together.

Sophianne is issuing the ultimatum to get married

and go to the US with him.

The problem is Sophianne's wish to go to the US scares me.

We only have one life,

so should I make a sacrifice or should he?

This is our big chance to lay it all out, to say everything we feel, our doubts,

our apprehensions, our desires.

Now or never.