The Captive

In the late 16th century, a young Miguel de Cervantes is seized by Barbary pirates during a sea voyage and carried to Algiers as a hostage. With time and money running out, his life depends on a ransom that may never come. To survive the brutal routine and the constant threat, he clings to the art of storytelling, using tales to steady his nerves and keep hope alive. The film traces his days in captivity, the delicate negotiations at home, and the way narrative becomes both shield and lifeline against despair. It is a stark look at survival and the craft of storytelling under pressure. Its tone blends realism with lyric moments as Cervantes imagines futures, memory becoming a witness.

Released in 2025, The Captive is directed by Alejandro Amenábar. The screenplay appears to be an original take that uses the era of Cervantes and his captivity as a lens on power, faith, and storytelling rather than a strict retelling cinematic.

Box office figures for The Captive have not been released, and no numbers have been disclosed publicly. The film's performance will depend on international sales and audience interest in historical drama worldwide across territories and platforms for the film's run.

As of now there are no major nominations announced for The Captive. The film marks Amenábar's return to historical drama with a strong ensemble led by Julio Peña and Alessandro Borghi, yet details about awards and festival prizes remain undisclosed. Industry watchers will be watching festival conversations for notes.

Reception & Themes: The film invites viewers into an austere world where confinement tests resolve and language becomes a tool for survival. Its central idea is that storytelling can shield identity, shape memory, and connect distant worlds, turning fiction into a form of resistance against oppression today for future generations.