A Bigger Splash

On a sunbaked Italian island, Marianne Lane and her partner Paul De Smedt enjoy a flawless vacation that feels almost too perfect. Their quiet rhythm is shaken when Marianne invites her former lover Harry and his teenage daughter Penelope to visit. What begins as playful nostalgia quickly stirs jealousy and a heavy, almost dangerous tension. The film leans into mood over action, letting glances, silences, and overheard conversations do the heavy lifting. As past flames reappear, the atmosphere thickens, and the line between romance and risk becomes blurred, leaving the audience unsure where desire ends and danger begins.

Released in 2015, the movie is directed by Luca Guadagnino with a screenplay by David Kajganich, Alain Page, and Jean-Claude Carrière. The cast features Tilda Swinton as Marianne, Matthias Schoenaerts as Paul, Ralph Fiennes as Harry, and Dakota Johnson as Penelope. The project is loosely inspired by Jacques Deray's 1969 film La Piscine, reimagining its heat drenched tension in a contemporary, sun soaked setting. Runtime runs about 111 minutes.

Set on Pantelleria, a windswept island near Sicily, the film builds mood through close, sunlit frames and restrained performances. Swinton's quiet, controlled presence anchors the story while the other leads push against propriety. The result is a stylish, sensory experience that lingers in memory rather than shouting for attention.

Critics praised its atmosphere and performances while noting a measured pace that prioritizes implication over action. The story probes desire, aging, fame, and the fragility of trust, showing how appearances and polite conversation can mask volatile undercurrents. It invites viewers to read between the lines of a seemingly leisurely vacation.

Awards: Not listed in the provided data, with no major nominations highlighted. The film is remembered for its craft and ensemble work, highlighting Guadagnino's directing and Swinton's restrained performance. It remains a sun drenched meditation on desire that lingers after the credits.