A sharp, crowd-pleasing political satire that plays like a chamber comedy set against the end of the Spanish Civil War. It seems to land best as a mix of farce, historical irony, and queer-coded character comedy, though the humor and tone will depend a lot on your tolerance for broad satire.
38% ★★☆☆☆ (22,326)
The Dinner
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Comedy · History
2025 · 1h 46m · ★ 38% (22.3K)
Director: Manuel Gómez Pereira
Starring: Mario Casas, Alberto San Juan, Asier Etxeandia
Overview
Spain, April 15, 1939. With the Civil War concluded, and with the intention of celebrating his victory, General Franco attends a dinner with his generals at the Palace Hotel.
Mario Casas, Alberto San Juan, Asier Etxeandia, Nora Hernández, Óscar Lasarte, Martín Páez, Elvira Mínguez, Carlos Serrano, Carmen Balagué, Eva Ugarte, Antonio Resines, Xavi Francés, Gloria March, Abdel Senouci, Rafael Valls, Sergio Caballero, Vicent Domingo, Laura Botta, Sofía Kofoed, Loures Serrano
Curator Review
Verdict
A sharp, crowd-pleasing political satire that plays like a chamber comedy set against the end of the Spanish Civil War. It seems to land best as a mix of farce, historical irony, and queer-coded character comedy, though the humor and tone will depend a lot on your tolerance for broad satire.
Best for
Viewers who like historical satire and political farce
Fans of ensemble comedies with a theatrical, bottle-episode feel
People interested in Spanish history told through irreverent comedy
Audiences who enjoy dark humor with a mainstream crowd-pleaser energy
Skip if
You want a strictly serious historical drama
You dislike broad, joke-forward satire
You prefer subtle, understated humor
You are sensitive to comedy built around fascist-era power dynamics
Overview
The Dinner turns a grim historical moment into a tightly staged satire, using the formality of a hotel dinner to expose vanity, cowardice, and the absurd rituals of power. The setup is simple, but that simplicity works in its favor: it gives the film room to sharpen its jokes and let the social dynamics do the talking.
Worth noting
What stands out most is the crowd-pleasing energy. The popular response suggests a movie that plays very well in a room, especially with audiences tuned into its political bite and its campier character work. It sounds less like a prestige history lesson than a mischievous ensemble piece that uses the end of the war as a backdrop for ridicule.
Bottom line
That said, the film’s appeal likely depends on whether you want your satire broad or precise. If you’re in the mood for a lively, irreverent take on authoritarian pomp, it should be a good time. If you want nuance over caricature, it may feel a little too eager to get the laugh.
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