Carlos Boyero has given La bola negra an unusually strong early review. He praises Javier Calvo, Javier Ambrossi and the cast before the film's cinema release on 25 September 2026, with Spain already having chosen it as its submission for the 2027 Academy Awards.
Carlos Boyero has put La bola negra into the awards conversation before its cinema release. He believes Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi have made a film worthy of recognition at the Academy Awards or the Goya Awards. His view is striking because he also calls the film unusual and admits that some parts are hard to follow.
That difficulty has not weakened its effect on him. Boyero spoke about the film on La Ventana on Cadena SER after attending a preview screening. He said it held his attention throughout. Its strongest quality, in his view, is the way it creates emotion while moving through several layers of story.
La bola negra is framed as a multigenerational story about three men set against almost a century of Spanish history, giving the film a broader scope than a conventional Los Javis project.
His praise begins with the directors. Boyero sees a mix of visual instinct and control in Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. He believes they twist their stories so that several subjects can unfold at once. The film does not build a simple account around one idea.
That approach can be confusing. It does not let go of the viewer.
Boyero singled out the opening as one of the film's strongest moments and called it extraordinary. He also praised the directors' command of the image, something he says is clear on screen from the start. The plot left him disoriented at times. The way the film is built brought him back instead of pushing him away.
The Film Verdict describes La bola negra as having a prominent international festival route, with Cannes, Toronto and Sydney among the events mentioned in coverage. The publication also reports that Netflix acquired the film after Cannes, strengthening its prospects beyond Spain’s national awards campaign.
The cast gave him another reason to respond so warmly. Guitarricadelafuente has one of the leading roles and drew particular praise. Boyero sees the performer as a natural fit for the camera. He values an approach based on spontaneity rather than large gestures. That restraint, he says, gives the character tenderness and credibility.
Penélope Cruz also receives a strong endorsement. Boyero rejects the idea that her part might be marginal. He points to her work as a cabaret performer and singer instead. In his view, she is a powerful actress whose contribution works every time she appears.
These comments give La bola negra a sharper profile than a routine pre-release recommendation. Boyero is responding to more than the cast or the film's look. He sees formal ambition, layered storytelling and emotional force. He also accepts that the same ambition can make the story harder to follow.
La bola negra has been officially selected by Spain as its submission for the 2027 Academy Awards in the international feature category. It reaches Spanish cinemas on 25 September 2026. The Spanish Academy of Cinematography announced the selection, as noted in promotional material from Movistar Plus.
The timing matters. Boyero's view comes before the public release, not after a completed awards campaign. Spain's choice has already turned the film into its official national entry rather than a simple contender.
The film has also built an international festival profile. Coverage mentions Cannes, Toronto and Sydney, along with awards attention. The Film Verdict reports that Netflix acquired the film after Cannes. English-language coverage has begun discussing it as an early name in the 2027 international awards race, not only as Spain's entry.
Movistar Plus says the film will first have a cinema window and later become available exclusively on the platform. Netflix is identified in international coverage as an important partner for the wider release. The film has also entered international coverage as one of the year's notable queer epics, adding to the attention around its national Oscar submission.
The strongest part of Boyero's assessment is the balance between doubt and enthusiasm. He admits that the film can be strange and that some passages may disorient viewers. He still says its visual force and emotional pull keep the story alive. That makes the praise more useful than a routine compliment. La bola negra is presented as an ambitious film whose risks are part of its identity.
Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi direct. Guitarricadelafuente and Penélope Cruz are among the performers Boyero highlights. The film arrives with a clear critical case already attached to it. Boyero's view is direct: La bola negra is not merely a notable Spanish release. He considers it worthy of the Academy Award or the Goya Award.
