The Room Next Door

The new Almodóvar (his first in English) is also old Almodóvar… which is to say, it’s a film about approaching death — the oldest of subjects. But not only that, it’s also inescapably true to the virtues which run through his later works: that deeply empathetic and abiding interest in the lives of women; the structures of friendship and romantic attachment; and the lovingly attentive sensitivity to space and design.

Ingrid (Julianne Moore) and Martha (Tilda Swinton) were close in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine. After years of being out of touch, they meet again when Martha is in deepest need, facing a critical illness. She recounts her story, and, later, has a favour to ask of her old friend…

As extravagant and engrossing and doggedly mysterious as anything he has done recently, with luxuriously self-aware performances from Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, and an undertow of darkness.

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

The colors of The Room Next Door are its secret message, a language of pleasure and beauty that reminds us how great it is to be alive. If it’s possible to make a joyful movie about death, Almodóvar has just done it.

Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

Swinton and Moore are alone in conversation for much of the movie, two remarkably well-paired actors. Their easy youthful camaraderie returns almost immediately, and they address each other with love but also a simple self-respect. It is the sort of friendship you hope for in adulthood: honest, equal and willing to support the other even when their choice is different from the one you’d make.

Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times