Pedro Almodóvar’s recent film, “The Next Room”, started from a promising premise: a highly topical issue such as euthanasia. However, the final result falls short of the mark, leaving the viewer with a feeling of disappointment.
The script, instead of delving into the emotional and ethical complexity of the subject, strays into a terrain that has come to seem comical and, at times, bordering on the ridiculous. While it is true that certain banal dialogues can be a valid resource in cinema, in this case it is discordant with the seriousness of the subject matter. Compared to series like “Rapa” (Movistar+), which deals with euthanasia in a serious and human way, provoking a deep emotional connection with the characters, “La Habitación de al Lado” feels cold and distant.
The inclusion of elements typical of Woody Allen’s films, such as the New York setting and certain cultural references, is forced and adds nothing new to the plot. In addition, the political claims, although laudable, seem to be included by force, without being integrated organically into the story.
In short, “The Next Room” is a missed opportunity. Despite having a socially relevant theme, the film fails to convey the emotion and depth one would expect. The soundtrack, however, is an exception and deserves to be highlighted.
