The Oscars will surely knock on Pedro Almodóvar’s door this awards season.
Pedro Almodóvar’s expansive filmography has shaped international cinema for over four decades. With his English-language directorial debut, “The Room Next Door,” fresh off winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the Spanish auteur and distributor Sony Pictures Classics are setting their sights on landing Almodóvar’s first best picture nomination.
Adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel “What Are You Going Through,” the film follows two women — war correspondent Martha (Tilda Swinton) and author Ingrid (Julianne Moore) — who reunite after years apart under challenging circumstances.
Almodóvar’s body of work has garnered widespread acclaim within the Academy. “All About My Mother” (1999) won the Oscar for international feature, while “Talk to Her” (2002) earned him two noms for directing and original screenplay, the latter of which he won. Additionally, his 1988 black comedy “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” received a nomination for Spain in the international feature category.
It would be Oscar punditry malpractice to overlook the international legend as a strong contender for best director and adapted screenplay. Produced by Esther García and Agustín Almodóvar, the film also stands a solid chance of securing a best picture nomination. However, longtime Almodóvar fans may resonate most with the film’s melodramatic beats and signature style, which could feel unfamiliar to new viewers. Nevertheless, there’s plenty for everyone to grasp.
What can always be expected from an Almodóvar film is the strength of its actors. Tilda Swinton, an Oscar winner for “Michael Clayton” (2007), delivers what may be her finest performance since “Orlando” (1992) and “We Need to Talk About Kevin” (2011). Likely to campaign in the best supporting actress category, it’s hard to imagine a shortlist that doesn’t include her with a serious shot at taking home a second Oscar, especially with a surprise “twist” that truly elevates her craft.
Julianne Moore, who won her Best Actress Oscar for “Still Alice” (2015), distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, could be looking for a comeback after last year’s snub for “May December.” With Swinton’s strong performance, the film could benefit from the Actors Branch pairing both stars on their ballots. However, Moore will face stiff competition in the best actress race, with contenders like Angelina Jolie (“Maria”) looming large and half-dozen probabilities.
Veteran actor John Turturro, who has been overlooked for an Oscar nod despite standout performances in films like “Quiz Show” (1994), could finally find himself in the mix for best supporting actor. Turturro plays Damian, a passionate climate change advocate, and former lover to both women, delivering a climactic scene near the end that could secure his spot in the conversation.
Almodóvar remains a beloved figure in the cinematic community, with the potential to gain support across several Academy branches. His trademark bold colors are fully showcased in “The Room Next Door,” putting cinematographer Eduard Grau in line for long-overdue recognition after missing out on nominations for “A Single Man” (2009) and “Passing” (2022). It’s almost criminal that no Almodóvar film has ever received a cinematography nod. That changes this year.
Longtime Almodóvar collaborator and composer Alberto Iglesias, a four-time Oscar nominee (“The Constant Gardener,” “The Kite Runner,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “Parallel Mothers”), has delivered one of his finest scores yet. This could finally be the year Iglesias takes home the gold.
SPC has plenty to play with this season, along with “The Outrun” starring Saoirse Ronan and Walter Salles’ beautiful and masterful “I’m Still Here,” which will likely represent Brazil for the international feature prize.
With “The Room Next Door,” Almodóvar breaks the language barrier but could also shatter his own Oscar’s ceilings. Expect this film to be a major player come awards season.