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The Birthday Party

Play trailer Poster for The Birthday Party 2025 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Set in the late 1970s, somewhere in the Mediterranean, "The Birthday Party" tells the story of Marcos Timoleón, a tycoon in the style of Aristóteles Onassis, who organizes a lavish birthday party for Sofía, his daughter and only heir, on his exclusive private island. The party serves as the perfect excuse for various people from Marcos' life to approach him with their own agendas. However, Marcos, used to controlling everything and everyone around him without hesitation, is secretly planning a major decision concerning his daughter. Sofía, for her part, also has important news to share. As the guests arrive and night falls, the party becomes increasingly wild and decadent, while the inevitable clash between Marcos and Sofía reaches a heartbreaking climax.

Critics Reviews

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Guy Lodge Variety 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. Aug 12, 2025 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 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. Rated: 3/5 Aug 11, 2025 Full Review Robert Stinner In Review Online The Birthday Party, though persuasively performed and appealing to the eye, unfortunately plays like a faded derivative of... The White Lotus. Aug 16, 2025 Full Review Santiago Echeverría EscribiendoCine Jiménez builds tension through secret recordings and charged glances, but the story is squandered by excessive dialogue and predictable twists. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 15, 2025 Full Review Paul Risker PopMatters Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s The Birthday Party is a captivating and beautiful exploration of the ugly side of human beings. Aug 14, 2025 Full Review Amber Wilkinson Screen International Underneath the modern storytelling lies the solid bedrock of ancient tragedy. Aug 11, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Miguel Ángel Jiménez

Director

Willem Dafoe

Actor

Emma Suárez

Actor

Joe Cole

Actor

Vic Carmen Sonne

Actor

Christos Stergioglou

Actor
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The Birthday Party

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Movie Info

Synopsis Set in the late 1970s, somewhere in the Mediterranean, "The Birthday Party" tells the story of Marcos Timoleón, a tycoon in the style of Aristóteles Onassis, who organizes a lavish birthday party for Sofía, his daughter and only heir, on his exclusive private island. The party serves as the perfect excuse for various people from Marcos' life to approach him with their own agendas. However, Marcos, used to controlling everything and everyone around him without hesitation, is secretly planning a major decision concerning his daughter. Sofía, for her part, also has important news to share. As the guests arrive and night falls, the party becomes increasingly wild and decadent, while the inevitable clash between Marcos and Sofía reaches a heartbreaking climax.
Director
Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Producer
Giorgos Karnavas, Adria Mones, Erik Glijnis, Leontine Petit, Kurban Kassam
Screenwriter
Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Nicos Panayotopoulos, Giorgos Karnavas
Production Co
Heretic
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 43m