The Wasteland Reviewer

The Room Next Door (2024) Written Review

What do you get when an international filmmaker like Almodovar makes the leap into English language work? He has crafted some compelling shorts so far with the likes of Tilda Swinton, Ethan Hawke, and Pedro Pascal. But there is a mixed bag in terms of track record for international directors making the leap into English language cinema. There are Denis Villeneuve success stories and John Woo cautionary tales. Almodovar is the type of filmmaker who always delivers visually which is promising because a visual palette transcends language and culture. But his films are beloved for the navigation of humanity and their deeply impactful character work. 

Does this type of storytelling translate well into an English language feature film? This film is a conflicting experience from a dialogue and language perspective. There are a few amazing scenes where Almodovar crafts some poetic expressions that grab the audience and pull them into the embrace of this psychological drama. There are big ideas that are being explored in The Room Next Door as Tilda Swinton’s Martha is dying of cancer and her friend Ingrid (Julianne Moore) reconnects to be with her as she makes a drastic decision for her future. Death is a main fixture of this film and the way that both Martha and Ingrid navigate their own mortality can be powerful and poignant. Almodovar has some real standout moments as a writer with some of the scenes where the characters speak out loud about the impending loss but also the regrets from their past. This film is rich in terms of thematic complexity as Almodovar delivers a layered narrative with thematic depth. 

But is it all great in this “talkie” drama? Not quite. There are many moments (especially in the first act) where this dialogue feels so…off. From the words themselves, they feel quite plain and uninteresting. Almodovar has made plenty of films in the past that have lyrical and sharp dialogue but for some reason this film has plenty of clunky and bland dialogue. There are even points where Swinton and Moore (both incredible performers) feel stiff and unnatural trying to convey the words on the page. There is a whole flashback to highlight Martha’s experience becoming a mother and the man who she is, but it feels terrible because the dialogue is just awkward. Was this purposeful or was it a translation issue? Either way, there are far too many moments in the film that don’t click because of it. This is a shame for a film with so many great moments of character work and dynamics. This is not an issue that is enough to torpedo this film, but it is a glaring presence. 

What shines through even with this jump to a new language? Almodovar’s visuals. The red. The green. The yellow. Every color feels incredibly rich and powerful. There are few directors who have such a powerful handle on color in their films like Almodovar. The costume designs are so vibrant and dynamic. For a film that is mostly just talking between friends, this film is engrossing as Almodovar mise-en-scene is fully engrossing and wraps you in such an impactful way. The design of this home that Martha acquires for their getaway is something so bold and fascinating to not only look at but to inhabit for the characters in the film. If you are going to make a film that is almost wall to wall dialogue, you need to find other ways to imbue life. The camera work is crisp and precise as well with so many great shots that capture so much feeling and emotion. There is a tender moment between friends as Ingrid lays down behind Martha and the way their smiles are captured in frame is just so warm and penetrating. 

But what are the real stand out elements of Almodovar’s The Room Next Door? Swinton and Moore. Their chemistry together is palpable. You begin to question the nature of their relationship because of how alluring they are together. They craft a deeply emotional friendship that is both joyous and harrowing as they navigate a dark road for Martha’s future. Swinton inhabits any atmosphere so well as she captures such a strange and unique presence. There is something so rich and warm about Moore’s aura that makes you feel so comfortable watching her in this film (and she obviously does the same for Martha as well). You instantly feel that reality that is their friendship in this film and these two elite performers sell every moment together. There are a few figures who come into their story for a variety of reasons and the likes of John Turturro and Alessandra Nivola add depth to this cast as well. 

Is The Room Next Door a big win for Almodovar with this transition to English language filmmaking? Generally, it is a quality film. The themes, ideas, visuals, and performances all meet the expectations that we have for the works of Almodovar. The dialogue is what takes away from the overall experience. This had the potential to be another masterful drama from a masterful filmmaker, but it still is a quality and beautiful film.