The Room Next Door, from director Pedro Almodóvar and adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel ‘What Are You Going Through’, is a film brimming with intricacies.
Martha, a former war correspondent diagnosed with a terminal illness, reconnects with her old friend Ingrid, a writer. Their reunion takes an unexpected turn when Martha asks Ingrid to be by her side when she chooses to end her life.
While euthanasia serves as the film’s central premise, The Room Next Door explores much more, and despite its seemingly morbid subject matter, the film captivates with its complexity, beauty and color. This is a deeply tender film that approaches its themes, such as death and friendship, with grace and sensitivity.
Color Symbolism
One of the defining features of Almodóvar’s films is his use of color, its vibrancy. Knowing that, I wasn’t certain whether he would maintain his signature visual style, considering the weighty theme of the film. However, I was not disappointed.
There is a lot of symbolism – Martha’s apartment, filled with vibrant colors and fresh flowers, contrasts sharply with a painting of a wilting bouquet – a poignant piece of foreshadowing of her fate.
The color red, often associated with death, plays a crucial role. The titular red door, which Martha states will be closed upon her death, is one of the film’s key visual elements and a major symbol of mortality. Yet red is also a color of courage and when Martha is ready to confront her death, she applies red lipstick. A symbolic act of embracing her fate.
Blue, on the other hand, represents innocence and kindness, emphasizing Ingrid’s gentler nature. However, she also occasionally wears red, an indication that she, too, possesses bravery.
From the beginning, we understand how terrified Ingrid is of death, she even published a book about it, whereas Martha has fully made peace with it. Despite her fear and as an act of profound courage, Ingrid forces herself to accept Martha’s choice, standing beside her friend even when the idea of death horrifies her.
The shifting colors in their clothing also reflect the deeper connection between Martha and Ingrid, as they both take on each other’s characteristics, allowing one to appear stronger and more determined at times than the other.
Art as a Narrative Device
The film is intellectually rich, layered with literary and artistic references. Martha and Ingrid frequently engage in conversations about their favourite authors, revealing aspects of their personalities. Martha’s literary influences, Hemingway and Faulkner, mirror her pragmatic and unflinching approach to life.
A key literary leitmotif in the film is James Joyce’s short story “The Dead”, which recurs throughout. It is first mentioned at the beginning, then revisited when the two watch John Huston’s adaptation, and finally resurfaces at the film’s conclusion, reinforcing its thematic significance. Another film they watch, Letter from an Unknown Woman, also carries echoes of fate and the passage of time.
The visual language is equally evocative. Inside the house, Martha and Ingrid come across Edward Hopper’s ‘People in the Sun’, a painting that foreshadows Martha’s final moments. Later, a meticulously crafted shot echoes its composition, leaving a lasting impression that lingers in the viewer’s mind long after the scene ends. Meanwhile, the recreation of Andrew Wyeth’s eerie painting, subtly shapes the film’s contemplative tone and captures the fleeting moment between life and death. Having witnessed death firsthand through her work, Martha seeks control over her own passing, reframing the narrative of mortality. The Room Next Door challenges us to reconsider death not as something to fear or turn away from, but as an act of personal agency, a final declaration of autonomy, and even, in its own way, something beautiful.
Interior Design and Architecture
Pedro Almodóvar is meticulous in curating the visual environment of his films, carefully selecting the paintings, furniture, and clothing. He works closely with production and costume designers. All of the furniture used is carefully picked, down to mugs. Even an umbrella stand in the film is valued at $2,500.
The house itself plays a crucial role in the narrative. Geometric and minimalist, it feels like Edward Hopper’s painting brought to life, embodying his signature theme of solitude within the vastness of the world and society. Notably, despite the building’s scale, not a single tree was harmed in its construction, a nod to the film’s reverence for nature, adding to its beauty.
The Role of Men in the Film
While The Room Next Door primarily focuses on its two strong female leads, the film also features two male characters, a former lover of Martha (who is now Ingrid’s partner) and a personal trainer. Unlike traditional male archetypes, both men embody qualities often associated with femininity, such as empathy and emotional support. They serve not as dominant figures but as counterpoints to the strength and agency of the female protagonists.
Damian is particularly fascinating. His pessimistic worldview forces the audience to dwell on mortality in ways even Martha’s illness does not. His presence highlights the resilience of the female leads, who ultimately choose to embrace life rather than succumb to despair.
Ingrid, who initially admits she is terrified of death, undergoes a transformation, ultimately embracing her role as Martha’s companion in her final moments. Meanwhile, Martha, who initially insists she needs someone by her side, realises in the end that she does not, choosing to face her death alone. Both are perfect examples of change, bravery and strength.
Michelle’s Role
Martha’s estranged daughter, Michelle (a spitting image of Martha herself), plays a crucial role in the film’s resolution. When Michelle visits the house, she learns more about her absent father and finally understands and forgives Martha. She realizes that she feels closer to her mother after her death than she ever did during her life.
Here, Almodóvar explores the idea that death can bring clarity, not only for the person passing but also for those left behind. Ingrid finds Michelle in the exact place where she discovered Martha’s body, reinforcing the notion of reincarnation, not in a literal sense but in the way love, memory, and identity transcend death. Ingrid sees her friend in Michelle, as she also inherits Martha’s apartment, her writing and her characteristics, such as during the police investigation. She is within, beside and all around.
The film ends with snowfall, accompanied by lines from ‘The Dead’, creating a poetic and deeply moving conclusion.
Last Few Words
The Room Next Door offers a poignant meditation on mortality, friendship and love. Almodóvar’s ability to intertwine dark themes with exquisite cinematography, literary depth, and emotional resonance makes this film needing a few rewatches. It reminds us that death, when met with peace and acceptance, can be as profound and beautiful as life itself.
If you liked this article, check out more by clicking here. If you have suggestions for new content or reviews, email us at [email protected]!
Love for film has always been a family thing - cozy evenings watching something we’re truly invested in, discovering new directors, and obsessively bingeing entire filmographies (latest fixation: Andrei Tarkovsky and Pedro Almodóvar). My parents introduced me to the world of cinema through Django Unchained and Apocalypse Now, that is when I realised what films can be…it’s a canon event. I studied Economics and Philosophy at the University of Manchester but squeezed in a year of Film Studies because, well… cinema. I love the way films make you feel and I definitely believe that we have different views hence different reviews. While cinematic masterpieces exist, the ones that truly matter are the ones that stay with you long after the credits roll. Beyond my TikTok and Instagram film pages, I lift, paint, play instruments, and (questionably) did ballet. Creativity shapes how I see film. Favourite 4: Back to the Future, Stalker, Poor Things, Spirited Away.