Tilda Swinton has captivated audiences once again in Pedro Almodovar’s new film, The Room Next Door, where she stars alongside Julianne Moore. In his review, Alex Maidy points out that while the film certainly showcases Almodovar’s signature allure, the shift from Spanish to English might impose some constraints on the acclaimed director’s narrative style. He notes, “The Room Next Door, while revealing intriguing layers, suffers from the transition, limiting Almodovar’s usual narrative finesse. Moore and Swinton shine brightly; Swinton, in particular, conveys deep emotions through her physicality more effectively than through dialogue. Though this film may not resonate with everyone, it shows that even amid sorrow, Almodovar manages to unearth threads of positivity surrounding death.”
Even with whispers suggesting a potential break from her busy schedule, Swinton’s career doesn’t appear to be slowing down. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed her upcoming role in a new thriller titled Death in Her Hands. This project, directed by David Lowery, translates the distinct narrative of Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel into film, with collaborations from See-Saw Films and notable producers including Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Jeanie Igoe, alongside executive producers Simon Gillis and Ann Phillips.
The film is described by THR as “an anarchic whodunnit, a surreal psychological thriller, and a compelling exploration of a woman wrestling to take back her own narrative.” Swinton steps into the role of Vesta Gul, “a recently widowed character who discovers a haunting note while walking in the woods near her home. The chilling message states: ‘Her name was Magda. Nobody will ever know who killed her. It wasn’t me. Here is her dead body.’ As Vesta investigates further, the lack of any physical evidence leaves her increasingly obsessed with unraveling the mystery behind Magda’s fate.”
Lowery expressed his exhilaration about the project, stating, “As a longtime admirer of Ottessa Moshfegh, adapting Death In Her Hands has felt like a wonderful opportunity to dive into her literary world. But now, the charade is over. The script adapted from her novel is coming to life, and it presents a formidable challenge—anyone familiar with the book can attest to its complexities. Still, I feel both eager and fortunate to team up with such incredible collaborators at See-Saw, Jeanie, and of course, the extraordinary Tilda Swinton, who I am confident will bring Ottessa’s characters to life in ways I can only dream of.”
