The Room Next Door marks Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature, an exciting prospect given his decades-long mastery of crafting deeply emotional and stylistically vibrant films. With a powerhouse duo of Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton leading the charge, the movie carries the pedigree of an awards-season contender. Yet, despite flashes of promise, it falls short of its potential, feeling like a muted echo of the director’s usual brilliance.
The story revolves around Ingrid (Julianne Moore), a successful writer gripped by an intense fear of death. Her world is upended when she learns that Martha (Tilda Swinton), an old friend, is terminally ill. At Martha’s request, Ingrid accompanies her to a secluded countryside retreat where Martha plans to end her life on her own terms. As they reconnect, the two women wrestle with life, loss, and mortality, confronting deeply personal fears and unresolved tensions.
The premise is compelling, and Moore and Swinton deliver solid performances. However, the script doesn’t delve deeply enough into their characters’ histories or dynamics to make their emotional journey resonate fully. Their reconnection, which should anchor the film, feels superficial at times, lacking the layered development one expects from Almodóvar. The rushed exposition and sparse backstory leave their relationship feeling more like a narrative device than an organic bond.
Moore and Swinton’s performances, while commendable, also feel overly familiar. Moore’s portrayal hints at shades of her work in May December and The Kids Are All Right, while Swinton’s performance recalls her collaborations with Joanna Hogg, particularly The Eternal Daughter. Both actresses bring a level of gravitas, but they struggle to elevate material that doesn’t give them much room to explore new depths. John Turturro, in a small supporting role, provides a much-needed change of pace, offering a contemplative counterpoint to the film’s heavy existential focus.
Thematically, The Room Next Door explores the inevitability of death and how individuals process its approach from different perspectives. These are rich ideas, but Almodóvar approaches them with uncharacteristic restraint. The result is a film that feels hesitant, as though unsure of what it ultimately wants to say. The lush visual and emotional textures that define his best works are largely absent here, leaving the film feeling overly subdued and disappointingly one-note.
While The Room Next Door isn’t without merit, it feels like a missed opportunity from a director and cast capable of so much more. The performances and themes hold promise, but the film’s reluctance to fully embrace its emotional and narrative potential keeps it from being the profound exploration of mortality it aims to be. Instead, it settles for being a well-intentioned but ultimately underwhelming addition to Almodóvar’s storied career.
Score: 5/10
The Room Next Door (2025)
- Cast: Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton, John Turturro, Alessandro Nivola
- Director: Pedro Almodóvar
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 107 minutes
- Rated: PG-13
- Release Date: January 17, 2025
More Movies Starring Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore has starred in the following movies:
- Magnolia (1999)
- Sharper (2023)
- When You’re Finished Saving the World (2023)
- The Room Next Door (2025)
More Movies Starring Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton has starred in the following movies: