Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut explores the intimacy of choosing one’s own final moments.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In his first English-language feature, Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar tackles the heavy subject of terminal illness and assisted death. Starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, the film follows two friends navigating a profound, final pact. It is a visually striking, provocative meditation on friendship that has divided critics globally.

The Room Next Door, released in 2024, marks a significant departure for Pedro Almodóvar. Based on Sigrid Nunez’s 2020 novel What Are You Going Through, the film chronicles the reunion of Ingrid, a successful author, and Martha, a former colleague facing terminal cancer. As Martha reveals her plan to end her life using euthanasia pills, she asks Ingrid to be present for her final days in a rented country house in Woodstock, New York. The narrative is deeply personal, exploring the complexities of grief, estrangement, and the ethical weight of witnessing a friend's chosen departure.

The production process was as deliberate as the film’s pacing. Filming began in Madrid in March 2024, with additional shooting in New York City. The film made history at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in September 2024, where it became the first Spanish production to win the Golden Lion. Despite its somber subject matter, the film is notably accessible; in the United States, it received a PG-13 rating, a first for Almodóvar, whose previous works were typically restricted to adult audiences due to more explicit content.

Critical reception has been notably polarized. Some reviewers, such as Stephanie Zacharek of Time, praised the film as a surprisingly joyful meditation on death, while others, like Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph, found the execution thin. Metacritic reports a score of 70 out of 100, reflecting generally favorable but varied opinions. Whether viewed as an emotionally resonant masterpiece or an empty exercise, the film remains a landmark in Almodóvar’s career, demonstrating his ability to maintain his signature aesthetic—vivid colors and emotional intensity—even when transitioning into a new language and a new cultural landscape.

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