Reviews

The Room Next Door (12A) |Close-Up Film Review

Dir. Pedro Almodovar, Spain/US, 2024, 107 mins

Cast:  Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton

Review by Matthew Morlai Kamara

Having the chance to review The Room Next Door felt like a personal full circle moment.

The film’s exploration of rekindled friendships, especially after years apart, resonated with my own experiences of reuniting with people who were once close but had drifted away.   There’s something deeply poignant about seeing relationships reignite with all the complexities that come with time and distance.

The film follows Ingrid (Julianne Moore), a successful autofiction novelist, and Martha (Tilda Swinton), a war reporter, who reconnect after years of separation. In their youth, they worked at the same magazine, but life’s circumstances—Ingrid’s rise as a writer and Martha’s time covering war zones—pulled them apart. When they meet again, it’s in a situation that is both extreme and oddly touching, as they navigate the unresolved emotions and shared history that still bind them.

The film, directed with precision and care, thrives on the dynamic performances of Moore and Swinton, whose chemistry is magnetic from the first moment they appear on screen together. The script allows for moments of quiet reflection and simmering tension, capturing the awkwardness and tenderness of reconnecting with someone who once knew you intimately.

The Room Next Door , released this week, is one of the best films I’ve seen at this year’s London Film Festival. Its emotional depth, combined with its subtle yet powerful storytelling, kept me intrigued throughout.  Director Justin Kurzel has crafted a film that is both haunting and heartwarming, a nuanced portrait of friendship and time. This is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates character-driven dramas that linger in your mind long after the credits roll.