The Room Next Door (2024), directed by Pedro Almodóvar, marks his heartfelt debut in the English language. Adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel What Are You Going Through, it stars Julianne Moore as Ingrid, a celebrated novelist, and Tilda Swinton as Martha, a former war correspondent facing terminal cancer. Their unlikely reunion forces them to confront life, death, and the fragility of friendship in a moving, intimate space.
📖 Plot & Themes
Upon learning of Martha’s illness, Ingrid travels to spend her last days together. The film centers on Martha’s plea—to have Ingrid by her side when she takes a euthanasia pill. What begins as awkward camaraderie evolves into deep, philosophical dialogue about mortality, autonomy, and emotional honesty. The film treats euthanasia not with shock, but with dignity and compassion.
🎭 Performances
Tilda Swinton delivers a restrained yet powerful portrayal of Martha—poised in the face of grief, yet deeply human. Critics praise her as delivering a “monumental performance” and being the standout even among legends.
Julianne Moore channels Ingrid’s layered fear of death and emotional dislocation. Their chemistry—founded on shared history and emotional risk—forms the film’s beating heart.
🎥 Visual Style & Tone
Almodóvar retains his signature bold palette—greens, reds, and banana-yellow fruit bowls echo emotion and subtext. Strategically composed scenes draw you into the apartment’s confined intimacy. The artistic direction and costume design echo mid-century modern chic, illustrating how beauty and decay can coexist.
🗣️ Criticism & Reception
Some viewers felt the dialogue was stilted, noting overwrought flashbacks and theatrical delivery—a common critique of Almodóvar’s first fully English script.
Yet most critics found it meditative and deeply affecting. It premiered to 18-minute ovations at Venice, won the Golden Lion, and holds a strong 81% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.