Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore mirror their characters, Martha and Ingrid, portraying the rekindling of a deep friendship both on and off-screen in Pedro Almodóvar’s critically acclaimed first English-language feature.
Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door has earned widespread praise, including a Golden Lion award. The trailer teases Almodóvar’s signature style—calm and understated on the surface but rich with emotional complexity and dramatic intensity beneath. A melodrama with a stunning colour palette, it weaves Almodóvar’s visual storytelling with themes of choice, connection, and the deeply emotional and ethical dilemmas of euthanasia.
Swinton and Moore star as Martha and Ingrid, childhood friends who grew apart over the years. They reconnect in an unusual, oddly sweet situation. As the characters navigate their rediscovered bond, the story highlights the importance of female friendships—a theme Almodóvar places at the heart of his work. This focus is a hallmark of his films, with women always at the forefront.

Julianne Moore reflected on the significance of portraying this connection: “What’s wonderful is that it’s so rare to see a film about a female friendship. Often, women in movies are depicted as mothers, sisters, lovers, or antagonists, but rarely as just friends. For most of us, friendships are among the most profound relationships we have outside of family. To see that dramatized was deeply moving for both me and Tilda.”
Almodóvar’s films are never as simple as they seem, always encouraging viewers to dig deeper. His attention to detail—like posters, artwork, and even his kitchen, taken directly from his own apartment—creates immersive worlds. Wardrobe choices and bold lipstick shades likely serve as intentional storytelling devices throughout his films.
Colour is another key element, with green symbolizing pro-choice perspectives and red representing pro-life stances. These colours shift throughout the film, reflecting the characters’ evolving views and adding depth to their journey.
Reflecting on her collaboration with Julianne Moore, Swinton, who previously starred in Almodóvar’s The Human Voice, shared: “We didn’t know each other. We met a couple of times in passing in public places and said, ‘Gee, I think I’d like you.’ To become friends in the course of making this film has been pure grace, which was Pedro’s instinct.”
This friendship, both on and off-screen, reflects the heart of The Room Next Door. Through his signature symbolism and nuance, Almodóvar reminds us of the power and importance of these connections, placing female friendship at the centre of his work.

