The Beloved

The Beloved (Spanish title El ser querido) is a 2026 drama directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen and co-written with Isabel Peña. Javier Bardem stars as Esteban, an acclaimed filmmaker preparing a new project. Victoria Luengo plays his estranged daughter Emilia, an actor he offers a part in that film. Their reunion brings a difficult family history into a working environment where Esteban has considerable influence. The film explores the connection between creative power, professional behavior and a father-daughter relationship. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. It opened in Spain on August 26, 2026. Kino Lorber acquired North American distribution and has described a limited US qualifying run later in 2026 with a wider key-market release in early 2027; precise dates vary and are not yet listed here. In a TIFF interview, Bardem said the director he portrays draws on situations he experienced or witnessed, not a single real filmmaker. The film’s outcome and personal inspirations should not be presented as known beyond those comments.