Is it suitable for children?

The movie deals with grief and panic attacks and carries a black-comedy tone. Check the local certificate for age guidance.

Is it showing in IMAX or other large formats?

No large-format release is listed. Expect standard screenings.

Bitter Christmas

Name: Bitter Christmas
Genre: Drama
Released: 2026-09-17
Duration: 111 min
Cast: Bárbara Lennie, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Victoria Luengo, Patrick Criado

論盡大導

You’re confusing fiction with reality.

6.3/10 Mixed 124 votes

Released: 17 Sep 2026
Runtime: 111 min
Original title: Amarga Navidad
Language: es

Drama

The verdict

Audiences rate it 6.3 out of 10 on TMDB across 124 votes — a mixed reception. It is not currently playing in Hong Kong cinemas. 111 minutes.

What it is about

In 2025 Spain, a celebrated film director struggles to write the screenplay for an autofictional film set in 2004 Spain about an unsuccessful movie director turned director of commercials who suffers a panic attack that forces her to take a break by visiting the Canary Islands, where she begins work on a new film.

What to expect

Almodóvar turns the camera on a director who can’t write—about a director who couldn’t direct. The 2025 timeline follows a celebrated filmmaker stuck on an autofictional script; the script itself is set in 2004, where her younger self, now a commercials director, has a panic attack and flees to the Canary Islands. The two layers mirror each other, and the black-comedy register keeps the grief and creative paralysis from feeling self-serious. Early audience response sits at 6.3/10 from 124 votes—not top-tier Almodóvar, but the kind of nested, self-lacerating structure that will land with viewers who like his later, more reflexive work. The movie runs 111 minutes, is in Spanish with English and Chinese subtitles, and opens in Hong Kong on 17 September 2026. Check listings for certificate and session times.

Trailer

Cast

Bárbara Lennie Elsa
Leonardo Sbaraglia Raúl Durán
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón Mónica
Victoria Luengo Patricia
Patrick Criado Bonifacio (Beau)
Milena Smit Natalia
Quim Gutiérrez Santi
Rossy de Palma Gabriela
Carmen Machi Médica
Diogo Belizario Cliente de la terraza
Tusti de las Heras Angelita
Gloria Muñoz Madre de Elsa
Antonio Romero Médico
María Morales Doctora Patricia Otero
Amaia Romero Ella misma

Crew

Director Pedro Almodóvar
Writer Pedro Almodóvar
Original Music Composer Alberto Iglesias
Director of Photography Pau Esteve Birba
Editor Teresa Font
Producer Agustín Almodóvar
Executive Producer Esther García

Common questions

How long is the movie?: 111 minutes.
What language is it in and are there subtitles?: Spanish, with English and Chinese subtitles.
Is it suitable for children?: The movie deals with grief and panic attacks and carries a black-comedy tone. Check the local certificate for age guidance.
Is it showing in IMAX or other large formats?: No large-format release is listed. Expect standard screenings.