The long-awaited official trailer for Bitter Christmas, Pedro Almodóvar's next film, has been released internationally, drawing attention for its intimate and visually evocative tone. The film, produced by El Deseo with the participation of RTVE, will arrive in Spanish cinemas on March 20, 2026.
The trailer showcases numerous scenes that combine evocative imagery, intense dialogue, and the characteristic Almodóvar film aesthetic, accompanied by music from composer Alberto Iglesias. The story revolves around Elsa, an advertising director played by Bárbara Lennie, whose life changes after her mother's death during a long December holiday weekend. The plot explores themes such as grief, work as an emotional refuge, and personal decisions in times of crisis.
The feature film also boasts a distinguished cast that includes Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Victoria Luengo, Patrick Criado, Milena Smit, and Quim Gutiérrez, among others. Almodóvar returns with a work that blends fiction and reality, following the path of his most personal and emotional films.
The official synopsis indicates that Elsa, after losing her mother, immerses herself in work until a panic attack forces her to take a break and rethink her life, embarking on a trip to the island of Lanzarote with her friend Patricia, while her partner Bonifacio remains in Madrid. The story is also accompanied by the story of film director and screenwriter Raúl Durán, played by Sbaraglia, in a narrative that intertwines lives and fictions.
With this new project, Almodóvar returns to Spanish cinema after the international festival success of The Room Next Door, consolidating his position as one of the most influential filmmakers on the contemporary Spanish and international film scene.