--- title: "The Room Next Door: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-room-next-door/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-room-next-door" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Room Next Door (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 14 reviews: 9 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like The Room Next Door, and nearly all of them like it for the same reason: Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. Review after review singles out the pairing, whether as a delicate two-hander, a piece of casting against type, or the thing that rescues an uneven film. The second cluster of praise is visual, with Almodóvar’s colour and Inbal Weinberg’s production design named repeatedly. The reservations gather around the move into English. Several critics find the dialogue stilted or the structure too much like a play, with people talking about death rather than facing it. The Guardian finds the central friendship cool and thin on lived-in detail, and The Telegraph calls it a clunky disappointment, the harshest verdict of the set. The spread is wide, from full marks to a low pass, but the doubters mostly grant the acting and the look, and nobody writes the film off entirely. The festival notices run cooler than those written for release. ## Time Out — Kaleem Aftab Rating 5/5. 3 September 2024. The critic hails it as a glorious rumination on mortality, praising Almodóvar’s successful venture into English-language cinema with strong performances from Moore and Swinton, and its blend of melodrama and political commentary on America. They single out the electrifying chemistry between the leads. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-room-next-door-review-2024) ## Film Comment — Molly Haskell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2024. The critic praises Almodóvar's adaptation as a slow-burn miracle and chamber drama, highlighting the subtle and nuanced performances of Moore and Swinton as they navigate friendship and mortality in a delicate pas de deux. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/premortem-and-postmortem-david-cronenberg-the-shrouds-pedro-almodovar-the-room-next-door-review/) ## The AV Club — Natalia Keogan Rating B+. 19 December 2024. Almodóvar’s most death-obsessed film to date meditates on mortality with tender performances from Moore and Swinton and an intact eye for color and contrast. The English-language translation mutes the director’s Spanish sensibility and melodramatic leanings, making some elements feel off-kilter or corny. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-room-next-door-review) ## Los Angeles Times — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2024. The critic calls the film a tough, tender and brittlely funny portrait of two women facing death and a difficult request. He singles out the casting against type, with Swinton as the frail but determined Martha and Moore as the anxious Ingrid. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-12-18/the-room-next-door-review-tilda-swinton-julianne-moore-pedro-almodovar) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 4/5. The critic describes it as a powerful euthanasia drama, commending the performances of Moore and Swinton, the immaculate production design, and the film's thoughtful questions on end-of-life ethics. They single out the sophisticated cast and Inbal Weinberg's production design. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-x9q1yd/the-room-next-door/) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 2024. The review finds the film ultimately moving and fresh in its handling of death and friendship. It singles out the career-best performances by Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore for particular praise. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/the-room-next-door-review-pedro-almodovar-makes-death-seem-bearable-3336201) ## Total Film — Jane Crowther Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 October 2024. The review calls the film a haunting drama where Swinton and Moore excel as two women confronting mortality and legacy. It praises the vivid colour and emotional depth despite the austere tone. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/drama-movies/the-room-next-door-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2024. Festival review. The film is a mixed bag that eventually delivers, with Swinton and Moore saving Almodóvar’s uneven English-language debut through their luminous performances. It praises the director’s visual attention to color, symmetry, and detail while noting risks of becoming an arid intellectual exercise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-room-next-door-review-tilda-swinton-julianne-moore-pedro-almodovar-1235989527/) ## Evening Standard — Jo-Ann Titmarsh 3 September 2024. Festival review. The review describes the film as understated and lovely, praising its sumptuous colour palette, humour and killer dialogue. It highlights the restrained direction and strong lead performances amid weighty themes. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-room-next-door-venice-film-festival-review-almodovar-b1179569.html) ## Financial Times — Danny Leigh Rating ★★★★☆. 24 October 2024. The critic notes that the film will not make you cry but appreciates its graceful and humorous handling of death and friendship. It singles out the profound shared laughter and the two-hander between Swinton and Moore in upstate New York for praise. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/2c2c58e7-abe2-44dd-b65b-ac2fc3bee28b) ## Screen Daily 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic views it as a substantial late-period achievement, praising the superbly matched duo of Swinton and Moore, the director’s visual meticulousness, and its exploration of friendship and complicity in illness. They single out its defiant blow against ennui and new territory for the director. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-room-next-door-venice-review/5196746.article) ## Sight and Sound 10 September 2024. Festival review. The critic praises Almodóvar’s nuanced meditation on mortality and friendship in his first English-language feature, highlighting the graceful exploration of euthanasia and the performances of Swinton and Moore. They single out the film's ability to create space for reflection on death while noting its subtle political commentary. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/the-room-next-door-almodovars-graceful-exploration-mortality-friendship) ## The Guardian 26 October 2024. The critic finds the film stylish but emotionally empty, noting that Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore seem constrained in Almodóvar’s first English-language feature. It praises the mid-century architecture and design but complains that the central friendship lacks warmth and lived-in detail. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oct/26/the-room-next-door-review-pedro-almodovar-tilda-swinton-julianne-moore) ## The New York Times — Alissa Wilkinson Rating Critic’s Pick. 19 December 2024. The critic finds Almodóvar’s English-language debut a moving, straightforward drama about two old friends confronting mortality and euthanasia. She singles out the blunt, plain-spoken conversations and the strong performances by Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/movies/the-room-next-door-review.html) ## The Telegraph 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic calls the film a clunky disappointment and Almodóvar’s English-language debut thin, comparing it unfavorably to middling Woody Allen. It singles out the unchallenging roles for Moore and Swinton and the talky, waiting-heavy premise as complaints. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/room-next-door-review-almodovar/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic describes it as a dark hit continuing Almodóvar’s evolution, focusing on friendship, family and mortality in his first English-language film. It praises the intensely moving final act connecting to James Joyce’s The Dead. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-room-next-door-film-review-pedro-almodovar-julianne-moore-tilda-swinton-hj2ftrlzd) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic hails the film as a lyrical, moving confrontation with death that lifts the viewer through its honesty. He singles out Tilda Swinton’s monumental, raw performance as the cancer-stricken Martha. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/the-room-next-door-review-tilda-swinton-julianne-moore-pedro-almodovar-venice-1236126697/) ## Digital Spy — Mireia Mullor Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2024. The critic calls it the most beautiful and hopeful movie of the year, praising the stunning performances of Moore and Swinton and Almodóvar's exploration of friendship, death, and political themes around assisted dying. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a62666640/the-room-next-door-review/) ## Deadline — Stephanie Bunbury Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic calls the film a thoughtful, vital and radiant work about mortality and female friendship. They single out the strong, theatrical performances by Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as the two women reconnect and confront death. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/09/the-room-next-door-review-pedro-almodovar-julianne-moore-tilda-swinton-venice-film-festival-1236075664/) ## Paste — Jesse Hassenger Rating 6.6/10. 7 October 2024. The critic finds the film uncertain in tone, imposing melodrama on a delicate story with stilted dialogue. The restrained performances by Swinton and Moore and the reflective ending stand out as highlights. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/pedro-almodovar/the-room-next-door-review-pedro-almodovar-tilda-swinton-julianne-moore) ## The Playlist — Rafa Sales Ross Rating C. 2 September 2024. Festival review. The review finds the film surprisingly tame and lacking Almodóvar’s usual subversion, criticizing repetitive dialogue and style-over-substance approach despite strong visuals and performances. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/the-room-next-door-review-almodovars-english-language-euthanasia-dramedy-is-surprisingly-tame-venice-20240902/) ## Collider — Martin Tsai Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic notes the film's authentic NYC setting and strong production design but criticizes its verbose, play-like structure and lack of visual flair. Julianne Moore's understated performance is highlighted as the best element. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-room-next-door-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2024. Festival review. The critic finds the film listless and overly verbose in its monologues on death despite solid acting. They single out Almodóvar’s visual command and Tilda Swinton’s performance as highlights amid the talky structure. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-room-next-door-review-pedro-almodovar-tilda-swinton/) ## Eye for Film — Anne-Katrin Titze 11 October 2024. The critic celebrates Almodóvar’s English-language debut as a vibrant, life-affirming adaptation that highlights the power of friendship, art, and nature in the face of death, praising the performances of Moore and Swinton along with the film’s stylish visuals and costumes. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-room-next-door-2024-film-review-by-anne-katrin-titze) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-room-next-door.md