Nathalie and Louise are friends from childhood. While studying drama at University Louise becomes hopelessly obsessed with her friend. Jealous of the male friends she has she breaks up the friendship, followed by a suicide attempt. Later, Louise marries, but finds time to see the, by now quite accomplished actress, Nathalie. They fight through the years, La Repetition following them as their friendship comes together and breaks up frequently, while never actually reaching anything that can be called a climax.

Emmanuelle Béart
as Nathalie

Pascale Bussières
as Louise

Dani Levy
as Matthias

Jean-Pierre Kalfon
as Walter Amar

Sami Bouajila
as Nicolas

Marilú Marini
as Mathilde

Clément Hervieu-Léger
as Sacha

Marc Ponette
as Alain

Raphaël Neal
as Patrick

Sébastien Gorteau
as Jean-Philippe