The Birthday Party (2025 film)
| The Birthday Party | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Miguel Ángel Jiménez |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | The Birthday Party by Panos Karnezis |
| Produced by | Giorgos Karnavas |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Gris Jordana |
| Edited by | Nacho Ruiz Capillas |
Production company | Heretic |
| Distributed by | |
Release date |
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Running time | 103 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Languages |
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The Birthday Party is a 2025 drama film co-written and directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez, based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Panos Karnezis. It stars Willem Dafoe, Vic Carmen Sonne, Joe Cole, and Emma Suárez. The film had its world premiere in the Piazza Grande section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 7 August 2025.
Premise
Greek billionaire Marcos Timoleon hosts a birthday party for his daughter on his private island.[2]
Cast
- Willem Dafoe as Marcos Timoleon
- Vic Carmen Sonne as Sofia Timoleon
- Joe Cole as Ian Forster
- Emma Suárez as Olivia
- Carlos Cuevas as the marquis
- Christos Stergioglou as Patrikios
- Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos
- Pelle Heikkilä
- Francesc Garrido
- Maria Pau Pigem
- Elsa Lekkakou
- Ermina Kyriazi
Production
Principal photography took place in Corfu and Athens. Filming was completed on 17 August 2024.[3]
Release
Bankside Films owns the international sales rights to the film, which was previewed at the European Film Market in February 2025.[4][5] In August 2025, the film was acquired for distribution by Paradiso for the Benelux, Praesens-Film for Switzerland, Hagi Film for Poland, Cinemart for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Pris for Portugal, Rosebud.21 for Greece, Arthouse Traffic for Ukraine, Budapest Films for Hungary, MCF for the former Yugoslavia, CineLibri for Bulgaria, GPI for the Baltics, and Film Clinic for the MENA.[1]
A promotional clip was released on 31 July 2025.[6] The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 7 August 2025.[7] It will also be screened in the Open Air Premiere Programme of the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival in August 2025.[8][9] Following its theatrical run, it will be launched on HBO Europe and HBO Max.[1]
Reception
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film three out of five stars, calling it "a strong, confident picture that hits its measured stride early on".[10] Amber Wilkinson of Screen Daily called the film a "stylish tale of hedonism and heartbreak".[11]
References
- ^ a b c d Dams, Tim (8 August 2025). "'The Birthday Party' starring Willem Dafoe unveils slew of international sales after Locarno premiere". Screen Daily. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Szalai, Georg (7 August 2025). "Willem Dafoe on Playing a Billionaire in 'The Birthday Party' and Not Being Afraid to Get Naked". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (26 August 2024). "'The Birthday Party': Heretic Wraps Production On Tycoon Family Drama With 'Poor Things' Star Willem Dafoe". Deadline. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ Vourlias, Christopher (7 February 2025). "Willem Dafoe-Led Drama 'The Birthday Party' Heads to Berlin With Heretic, Bankside Films Launching Sales; First Look Revealed (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ Economou, Vassilis (11 February 2025). "Miguel Ángel Jiménez's The Birthday Party, toplined by Willem Dafoe, heads to the EFM". Cineuropa. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (31 July 2025). "'The Birthday Party': Watch First Clip From Willem Dafoe-Led Drama Headed To Locarno". Deadline. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (8 July 2025). "Locarno: Radu Jude, Abdellatif Kechiche & 'Viet And Nam' Filmmaker Trương Minh Quý Among Directors Set To Debut New Works In Competition". Deadline. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (4 August 2025). "'Sentimental Value,' 'Dreams,' 'Brides' Join Sarajevo Film Festival's Open Air Program". Variety. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ Szalai, Georg (4 August 2025). "'Dreams,' 'Sentimental Value' Among Sarajevo Film Festival's Open Air Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (8 August 2025). "The Birthday Party review – Willem Dafoe is the life and soul as menacing Onassis-alike". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Wilkinson, Amber (7 August 2025). "'The Birthday Party' review: Willem Dafoe heads an international cast in entertaining tale of wealthy excess". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 August 2025.