Does Willem Dafoe ever stop making movies? After a five-film year in 2025, the prolific actor is back on screen next in “The Birthday” (arguably another movie from last year, given its world premiere at Locarno). But since it hits theaters in June, let’s pencil this one next to “Tenzing” and “Werwulf” as another 2026 Dafoe joint. Just three projects for the actor this year? No matter: Dafoe is already filming his first 2027 release, “Time Out,” right now.
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But back to “The Birthday Party.” Based on Panos Karnezis‘ 2007 novel of the same name, the film stars Dafoe as Marcos, a multi-millionaire throwing a birthday bash for his beloved daughter on his private island in the late 1970s Mediterranean. But what should be a day of celebration becomes something much worse, as the evermore raucous party brings out Marcos’ uncontainable need to control everything, and everyone…
Here’s an official synopsis for “The Birthday Party,” courtesy of Quiver Distribution:
The story is set in the late 1970s somewhere in the Mediterranean, where Marcos Timoleon, an Aristotle Onassis-like tycoon, is throwing a lavish, extravagant birthday party for Sofia, his daughter and sole heiress, on his exclusive private island. The party is a perfect excuse for various people in his life to approach him with their own agendas. But Marcos, who is used to ruthlessly controlling everything and everyone around him at whatever cost, is also secretly plotting a big decision on his daughter’s behalf. Sofia, however, has come to share some important news of her own. As guests start pouring in and night falls, the party grows rowdier and more decadent, while the inevitable clash between Marcos and Sofia reaches a heartbreaking climax.
Along with Dafoe, “The Birthday Party” also stars Vic Carmen Stone, Joe Cole, Emma Suárez, and Carlos Cuevas.
Miguel Angel Jiménez directs “The Birthday Party,” and also co-writes the film’s script with Giorgos Karnavas, and Nicos Panagiotopoulos.
“The Birthday Party” had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival last August, followed by screenings at the Sarajevo Film Festival and the BCN Film Fest in Jiménez’s native Spain.
Jiménez’s film hits theaters, on demand, and digital on June 5. Watch a trailer for the film below.
