Against the backdrop of the rise of fascism and the cruelty and horrific reality of war, this gentle and sensitive portrayal of repressed love and constrained friendship becomes a heartbreaking watch.
Gris Jordana’s dazzling cinematography, along with the impeccable direction of Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, enhances both the romance and devastation of the stories they tell. One moment you are terrified by the gloom of war, the next you feel the longing, fear and desire in Sebastián’s presence as his role within the republican forces tests his mental resolve.
It’s a movie that can seemingly give me goosebumps whenever it wants to. The sound design and pacing are perfectly aligned to create crescendo moments from the first scene.
I can’t say many things can be fixed black ballbut Penélope Cruz’s flamboyant scene as Nené Romero, a cupletista who entertains the soldiers and opens Sebastián’s mind to life beyond the war, certainly helps. Another welcome addition comes from Glenn Close as Isabelle Durand, the scholar to poet Lorca whom Alberto turns to for help.
In his heart black ball A movie about living and finding fulfillment. It’s about how oppression, loss, and repressed desire can lead to a life not being fulfilled. Beautiful, tragic, unimaginably terrifying, yet strikingly majestic, black ball A masterfully crafted film that stays in your mind long after the credits roll.
black ball It is scheduled to be released in UK and Irish cinemas on 6 November 2026 and will debut at the London Film Festival on 8 October 2026.