Tilda Swinton Discusses Life, Death, and ‘The Room Next Door’

Acclaimed actors Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore are set to share the screen in the upcoming film The Room Next Door, a thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the choices we make in their shadow. The movie, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, will debut in select theaters on December 20.

In The Room Next Door, Swinton portrays Martha, a terminally ill woman who enlists the emotional support of her close friend Ingrid, played by Moore, as she makes the difficult decision to end her own life on her terms. Tackling themes of autonomy, friendship, and the societal perceptions of mortality, the film is set to be as poignant as it is unflinching.

Speaking to The New York Times, Swinton described the project as deeply political, reflecting her long-standing commitment to activism. "Every Saturday, we were marching for one thing or another," Swinton told The New York Times. "Whether it was against the Iraq war, whether it was against Section 28, which was the repressive bill."

When discussing the film’s focus on life and death, Swinton offered a stark yet resonant perspective: Mortality and immortality are the same. "None of us are getting out of here alive," Swinton said. "It’s so banal to have to say this, but one does have to say it, because there’s so much denial around it."

Swinton also criticized the common battle terminology surrounding terminal illness. The idea of winning or losing to Swinton seemed silly and pointless. "It’s such a red herring, that attitude because it brings with it the concept that we might win," She explained. In the film, Swinton's character follows this attitude. 

The film promises to be a raw and unvarnished look at one of life’s most difficult conversations, brought to life by the powerful performances of Swinton and Moore. With its December release, The Room Next Door is poised to spark vital discussions about mortality, agency, and the connections we have in our lives.