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The Birthday Party

Play trailer 2:02 Poster for The Birthday Party 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 6 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
The story is set in the late 1970s somewhere in the Mediterranean, where Marcos Timoleon, an Aristotle Onassis-like tycoon, is throwing a lavish, extravagant birthday party for Sofia, his daughter and sole heiress, on his exclusive private island. The party is a perfect excuse for various people in his life to approach him with their own agendas. But Marcos, who is used to ruthlessly controlling everything and everyone around him at whatever cost, is also secretly plotting a big decision on his daughter’s behalf. Sofia, however, has come to share some important news of her own. As guests start pouring in and night falls, the party grows rowdier and more decadent, while the inevitable clash between Marcos and Sofia reaches a heartbreaking climax.

Cast & Crew

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Miguel Ángel Jiménez

Director

Willem Dafoe

Marcos Timoleon

Vic Carmen Sonne

Sofia

Joe Cole

Journalist

Emma Suárez

Olivia

Carlos Cuevas

Actor

Critics Reviews

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Guy Lodge Variety Aug 12
Brooding, glowering and sometimes even speak-singing his way through proceedings, Dafoe is rarely less than compelling; the same cannot be said, however, for the leaden film around him. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Aug 11
3/5
This is a strong, confident picture that hits its measured stride early on. Its pace and style and language are dictated by a charismatic Dafoe; however, he gives the impression that this performance is not exactly a stretch for him. Go to Full Review Robert Stinner In Review Online Aug 16
The Birthday Party, though persuasively performed and appealing to the eye, unfortunately plays like a faded derivative of... The White Lotus. Go to Full Review Santiago Echeverría EscribiendoCine Aug 15
Jiménez builds tension through secret recordings and charged glances, but the story is squandered by excessive dialogue and predictable twists. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Paul Risker PopMatters Aug 14
Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s The Birthday Party is a captivating and beautiful exploration of the ugly side of human beings. Go to Full Review Amber Wilkinson Screen International Aug 11
Underneath the modern storytelling lies the solid bedrock of ancient tragedy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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The Birthday Party

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The Birthday Party

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Movie Info

Synopsis The story is set in the late 1970s somewhere in the Mediterranean, where Marcos Timoleon, an Aristotle Onassis-like tycoon, is throwing a lavish, extravagant birthday party for Sofia, his daughter and sole heiress, on his exclusive private island. The party is a perfect excuse for various people in his life to approach him with their own agendas. But Marcos, who is used to ruthlessly controlling everything and everyone around him at whatever cost, is also secretly plotting a big decision on his daughter’s behalf. Sofia, however, has come to share some important news of her own. As guests start pouring in and night falls, the party grows rowdier and more decadent, while the inevitable clash between Marcos and Sofia reaches a heartbreaking climax.
Director
Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Producer
Giorgos Karnavas, Adria Mones, Erik Glijnis, Leontine Petit, Kurban Kassam
Screenwriter
Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Giorgos Karnavas, Nicos Panayotopoulos
Distributor
Quiver Distribution
Production Co
Heretic
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 5, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 5, 2026
Runtime
1h 43m