The official trailer has arrived for The Room Next Door, the first full-length English-language film for acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. The drama, based on Sigrid Nunez’s novel What Are You Going Through, stars Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore as two estranged friends brought back together under difficult circumstances. Take a look above.
The Film’s Plot
The film follows the characters Martha, a seasoned war reporter played by Swinton, and Ingrid, a successful autofiction writer portrayed by Moore. Once close friends, they had lost touch over the years, each following their own path. They reunite in a country mansion where Martha offers companionship to her terminally ill friend, Ingrid, who has decided to end her life. The two reflect on shared experiences, life choices, and the nature of friendship as they face Ingrid’s planned departure.
The supporting cast includes John Turturro and Alessandro Nivola, their characters providing additional perspectives within the film’s introspective setting.
Critical Love and Almodóvar’s Oscar Hopes
The film could be shaping up to be an award-season darling, if the praise so far is anything to go by. Earlier this year, The Room Next Door was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, where it reportedly received an 18-minute standing ovation. On Rotten Tomatoes, at the time of writing, it has an impressive 91% score from critics.
Talking to The Times of London earlier this month, Almodóvar expressed his hopes for award recognition his stars, Swinton and Moore, who he believes delivered exceptional performances. Regarding his own thoughts on Academy Award recognition, he’ll be more than happy to receive a nod. “They absolutely matter to me, but I also don’t want to think about it, and I have promised myself not to,” Almodóvar said. “I love the Oscars! Give me more Oscars. One, two, all day. They’ll be really welcome.”
Almodóvar already has two Academy Awards to his name: Best Original Screenplay for Talk to Her in 2003 and Best Foreign Language Film for All About My Mother in 1999.
Release Dates
The Room Next Door is scheduled for release in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day, 26th December. In the United States, it will open in New York and Los Angeles on 20th December, expand to select cities on 10th January, and premiere nationwide on 17th January.