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The Captive

El cautivo

CTC • 134 MIN

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Synopsis


An ambitious and thrilling historical adventure drama from award-winning director Alejandro Amenábar (While at War, The Sea Inside), starring Julio Peña (Through My Window) and Alessandro Borghi (The Eight Mountains), The Captive is an enthralling tale about the power of stories that cleverly combines truth, history and fiction. 1575, Algiers. Miguel de Cervantes (Peña), a wounded 28-year-old Spanish Navy soldier and the future author of Don Quixote, is held prisoner by Ottoman corsairs. Faced with a ticking clock, a cruel death awaits him should his fellow countrymen fail to pay his ransom soon. But within the confines of his cell, Cervantes discovers a surprising refuge in the art of storytelling. Crafted from resilience and hope, his stories enthrall his fellow captives and spark the attention of Hasan (Borghi), the enigmatic and feared Bey of Algiers. With a secret affinity ignited between captor and captive, suspicions begin to rise amidst growing tensions in the city. But, driven by an unwavering sense of optimism, Cervantes devises a daring plan for freedom.

Awards & Reviews


As both a story about the magic of telling stories and a morality play about national identity and religious persecution, it’s a handsomely made, compulsively watchable film.

Next Best Picture

OFFICIAL SELECTION Toronto International Film Festival 2025 
WINNER Audience Award, José María Forqué Awards 2025
WINNER Best New Actor, Cinema Writers Circle Awards 2026

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Release Date

10th June 2026

Duration

134 MIN

Rating

CTC

Director

Alejandro Amenábar

Cast

Alessandro Borghi, Fernando Tejero, Miguel Rellán, Julio Peña Fernández

Languages

Spanish, Arabic, Italian with English subtitles

Country

Spain, Italy

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