Cinema fans currently face a confusing landscape as two major international productions titled The Birthday Party prepare for global distribution. One is a Greek-set drama led by Willem Dafoe, while the other is a French thriller featuring Monica Bellucci.
This guide breaks down the release calendars, streaming availability, and full cast lists for both projects to help you navigate these highly anticipated releases.
Clarifying the Confusion: Two Different Films
It is important to distinguish between these two adaptations, as they are based on different novels and follow entirely different plots.
- The 2025 Film: Directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez. It stars Willem Dafoe as a billionaire. In Spain, this movie is titled El anfitrión. It is based on the 2007 book by Panos Karnezis.
- The 2026 Film: Directed by Léa Mysius. It stars Monica Bellucci and Hafsia Herzi. In France, this movie is titled Histoires de la Nuit. It is based on the novel by Laurent Mauvignier.
The Birthday Party (2025): Willem Dafoe’s Greek Island Drama
This production is a sprawling 103 minute drama that explores the dark side of extreme wealth. The story centers on Marcos Timoleon, a Greek billionaire who organizes a lavish celebration for his daughter, Sofia, on a private island. However, the festivities quickly unravel as personal secrets and family tensions surface.
Critics who saw the film at its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 7 August 2025 praised the technical polish. The cinematography by Gris Jordana captures the stunning but isolating beauty of the Greek landscape. While some critics called it a stylish tale of hedonism, others noted the complex mix of accents and international stars, sometimes referring to it as a modern Euro-pudding production.
Official Release Dates and Streaming Schedule
For North American audiences, the wait for the 2025 film is nearly over. Quiver Distribution acquired the rights for North America in April 2026.
- US Theatrical and VOD Release: 5 June 2026.
- Spain Theatrical Release (as El anfitrión): 24 July 2026.
- Streaming Availability: Following the theatrical window, the film will be available on HBO Europe and HBO Max in select territories.
Internationally, the film has been sold to various distributors including Paradiso for Benelux, Rosebud.21 for Greece, and Arthouse Traffic for Ukraine.
Cast and Characters: Who is Joining Willem Dafoe?
The cast is a diverse group of international talent. Willem Dafoe leads the ensemble, bringing his signature intensity to the role of a man who controls everything except his own family’s happiness.
- Willem Dafoe as Marcos Timoleon: The billionaire patriarch.
- Vic Carmen Sonne as Sofia Timoleon: The daughter for whom the party is held.
- Joe Cole as Ian Forster: A key guest at the celebration.
- Emma Suárez as Olivia: A significant figure from Marcos’s circle.
- Carlos Cuevas as the Marquis.
- Christos Stergioglou as Patrikios.
Filming took place throughout Corfu and Athens, concluding on 17 August 2024. The production is a collaboration between Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The Birthday Party (2026): Monica Bellucci and the French Thriller
If you are looking for the version starring Monica Bellucci, you are likely interested in the French production directed by Léa Mysius. This film, titled Histoires de la Nuit in its home country, runs for 114 minutes and offers a much darker, atmospheric experience than its 2025 counterpart.
The plot follows Thomas and Nora, who live in a remote marshland with their daughter. Their isolated life is interrupted by strange disturbances during a birthday party. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 22 May 2026, where it competed for the Palme d’Or.
Esther Mysius won the CST Award for Best Young Female Artist-Technician at Cannes for her work on this film, highlighting its visual and technical excellence.
Comparison: 2025 vs. 2026 Film Details
| Feature | 2025 Film (Jiménez) | 2026 Film (Mysius) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Lead | Willem Dafoe | Hafsia Herzi / Monica Bellucci |
| Source Novel | Panos Karnezis | Laurent Mauvignier |
| Setting | Greek Private Island | Remote French Marshland |
| Runtime | 103 Minutes | 114 Minutes |
| US Release | 5 June 2026 | TBA (France: 16 Sept 2026) |
| Spanish Title | El anfitrión | Histoires de la Nuit |
Whether you are looking for the high stakes billionaire drama of the 2025 film or the eerie marshland tension of the 2026 French thriller, both versions of The Birthday Party offer prestige cinema experiences. Fans of Willem Dafoe should mark 5 June 2026 on their calendars for the US VOD and theatrical release. Meanwhile, fans of Monica Bellucci and French auteur cinema should keep an eye out for international streaming dates following its September 2026 French debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Is The Birthday Party on HBO Max?
Yes, the 2025 version starring Willem Dafoe will be launched on HBO Max and HBO Europe after its theatrical run finishes.
2.Who stars alongside Willem Dafoe in the new movie?
He is joined by Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders), Vic Carmen Sonne (Holiday), and Emma Suárez (Julieta).
3.Is the 2026 movie a sequel to the 2025 movie?
No. They are entirely unrelated projects that simply share the same English title. One is an English language drama and the other is a French language thriller.
4.Where was the Willem Dafoe movie filmed?
Principal photography took place in Corfu and Athens, Greece, providing a Mediterranean backdrop for the billionaire’s island home.
