When Pedro Almodóvar’s film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival this summer, it took many critics by surprise. Some were shocked that this was Almodóvar’s first major European festival award, while others were surprised that this particular film was the one to win. And then there were those who were simply surprised that it won anything at all. Personally, I found the film to be extravagant, engrossing, and mysteriously captivating, with exceptional performances from Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, and a dark undertone that is often overlooked by both critics and fans.
This is Almodóvar’s first English-language feature, adapted by the director himself from Sigrid Nunez’s novel “What Are You Going Through.” Although the film is set in the US, it was shot on sets and locations in Spain, which may expose Almodóvar’s usual stylization and make it seem exaggerated and inauthentic to some. However, the shift to English language only enhances Almodóvar’s filmmaking style, which is deeply influenced by directors like Hitchcock and Sirk. The film features a lush orchestral score, rich blocks of color in the design (particularly the striking arterial red), and a storytelling technique that is uniquely Almodóvar, with flashbacks and incidental scenes that add layers to the narrative.
The story follows Ingrid (played by Moore), a bestselling author who reconnects with her old friend Martha (played by Swinton), a war correspondent who is terminally ill. Martha asks Ingrid to accompany her on a final weekend getaway where she plans to end her own life with the help of a special pill. As the two women spend time together, secrets are revealed and their friendship is tested in unexpected ways.
“The Room Next Door” is a quintessentially Almodóvarian film, with its dreamlike portrayal of characters and settings that blur the line between reality and fantasy. The theme of assisted dying is explored with depth and complexity, highlighting the privilege of choice that not everyone has. The film forces viewers to confront the inevitability of saying goodbye and the need to prepare for the future.
The Room Next Door will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on October 25th.