Bitter Christmas (2026)

The critic calls it a fun and twisty meta-drama and satisfying late-career gem in which a filmmaker writes and rewrites a screenplay about another filmmaker. It highlights the playful self-critique and satisfying structure.

The review calls it a sombre, self-lacerating drama on the ethics of storytelling and creative inspiration, praising Almodóvar's refined technique and formal poise in this late-period work.

The review describes it as Almodóvar’s most introspective film yet, a meta exercise flexing between fiction and reality, praising its visual beauty and exploration of creative spark.

A witty and sensitive mea culpa exploring self-doubt, grief, and the auteur’s struggle, with sweet melancholy rather than bitterness, tributing older women who facilitate artists' lives.

The critic sees it as a stylish, spiky meta tragicomedy that turns the lens on the artist, praising its ability to surprise and provoke while exploring boundaries between art and life.

The critic finds the multi-layered, self-conscious drama a return to Almodóvar’s signature world, praising its cunningly crafted exploration of the relationship between artistic creation and life’s messiness.

The critic describes it as a dramedy in a confessional mode about turning life into art, noting it is a minor work but one Almodóvar has earned. Praises performances, especially Bárbara Lennie.

The critic views the film as an entertaining but lightweight meta exercise that feels like a stopgap, praising its genial self-deprecation where Almodóvar makes himself the joke's target.

The critic sees it as familiar autofiction that regifts Almodóvar’s self-critical style but doesn’t fully gel until too late. It notes highlights in music, performances and camp elements but finds the whole too pithy and flat.

The critic finds it a complex, slightly muddled auto-metafiction exploring grief, loss, and artistic betrayal, anchored by a musical moment but not as impactful as previous works like Parallel Mothers.

It's a spry deconstruction of artistic complacency but primarily for fans, clever in how Almodóvar reviews his own shortcomings.

Self-referencing like Pain and Glory but lighter, quintessential but not vintage Almodóvar; enjoyable with immaculate art direction but lacks deeper resonance.

The critic views the lacerating self-portrait as a difficult watch where everything interesting happens in the final act. It finds the self-lacerating late-career reflection intriguing but only barely worthwhile for those invested in the director’s arc.

The critic finds the film a meandering and unfocused affair that touches on familiar themes but ultimately lacks a satisfying ending. They praise Almodóvar's skill with dialogue, noting that spending time with the characters is no hardship.

The critic finds Almodóvar’s meta-fiction an elegant but emotionally unyielding rumination on art, ethics and creative cost that is compelling yet seldom affecting. It praises the intricate structure, visual style, strong performances and production design while noting a downbeat tone and muted payoff.

The critic describes the film as a labyrinthine, challenging Russian nesting doll of autofiction that grows deeply personal as it interrogates the ethics of borrowing from real lives, culminating in self-criticism aimed at Almodóvar himself. It praises the impeccable craftsmanship, vibrant visuals, and the thrilling way the layers dissolve by the end.

The critic views the film as minor Almodóvar: a flawed but fascinating exploration of autofiction and creative block that merges two storylines from different eras into a meditation on turning life into art. It praises the cast performances and piercing final-act dialogue while noting the score misses the intimate mood.

The critic finds the film a self-reflective tragicomedy that circles familiar Almodóvar obsessions with wit and color but lacks emotional depth due to its meta structure and satire. They praise its visual style, supporting performances including Rossy de Palma and Patrick Criado, and a poignant scene featuring Chavela Vargas.