: Tom is gradually stripped of his own identity, absorbing the roles Francis demands of him, which culminates in a disturbing form of Stockholm Syndrome . Psychosexual Dynamics and Symbolism

: Guillaume’s brother, Francis , is a brutal, homophobic farmer who forces Tom to uphold a lie—inventing a fictitious girlfriend named Sarah to protect Agathe’s perception of her "perfect" son.

A primary engine of the story is the "sadomasochistic allure" between Tom and Francis. Tom à la ferme - Sorry, never heard of it! - WordPress.com