Sorogoyen's 'El ser querido': Bardem and Luengo in a Brutal Family Drama

Rodrigo Sorogoyen's latest film, 'El ser querido', premieres in 2026, a Spanish-French co-production running 135 minutes. The film stars Javier Bardem as Esteban Martínez, a legendary filmmaker with a violent past, and Victoria Luengo as his estranged daughter Emilia, whom he hires to star in his new movie after nearly fifteen years of silence. The narrative explores their fraught reunion during the shoot, delving into unresolved wounds and a newfound intimacy. Critics highlight a gripping opening sequence of shot-reverse-shot dialogue between the leads, praising Bardem and Luengo's performances as career-best. The film draws parallels to Joachim Trier's Oscar-winning 'The Worst Person in the World' (Valor sentimental), though it diverges in approach. The screenplay is co-written by Isabel Peña and Sorogoyen, with cinematography by Nacho Lavilla and editing by Eduardo Villanueva, who also produce. The cast includes Melina Matthews, Raúl Arévalo, Marina Foïs, Mourad Ouani, and Malena Villa. The review, published by hoyesarte.com, positions the film as an uncomfortable, lucid, and brilliant work, emphasizing its emotional intensity and the powerful dynamic between the two protagonists.