The dramatic thriller, The Spiral, made its world premiere in Competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival, generating considerable buzz. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, led by the acclaimed Jasmine Trinca, alongside Romana Maggiora Vergano, Adriano Giannini, and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi.
At its heart, The Spiral delves into the intricate dynamics of family secrets. The narrative unfolds during a tumultuous storm as Trinca’s character arrives at her daughter’s apartment, burdened by a confession of a lie that threatens to unravel the very foundation of their familial bonds and relationship. This intense premise promises a gripping cinematic experience for audiences.
Paolo Strippoli, whose career is rapidly gaining momentum, directs The Spiral. This marks his fourth feature film, following his previous works which include the critically acclaimed A Classic Horror Story (2021), Flowing (2022), and the upcoming The Holy Boy (2025). His consistent output and diverse genre exploration highlight him as a director to watch in contemporary Italian cinema.
The production of The Spiral is a collaborative effort, with Marina Marzotto and Mattia Oddone leading for Rome-based Propaganda, in partnership with Rai Cinema. International co-production includes France’s Paris-based Kazak Productions, Belgium’s Tarantula, and Italy’s Bari-based Dinamo Film. Domestically, 01 Distribution is set to release the film in Italy on October 18, while Le Pacte is managing international sales, aiming to bring Strippoli's work to a global audience.
The selection process for Italy’s Oscar entry was thorough, with The Spiral emerging from a highly competitive shortlist of 21 potential candidates. This list included other notable films that premiered at Venice 2026, such as Nanni Moretti’s It Will Happen Tonight and Marco Bechis’ Back To Buenos Aires, as well as the Orizzonti title The House of the Monkey, which garnered Best Screenplay and Best Actor (Riccardo Scamarcio) awards. The final decision was made by a selection committee overseen by the Italian cinema guild Anica, comprising Giorgio Carlo Brugnoni, Cristina Comencini, Federica Lucisano, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, and Nick Vivarelli.
Explaining their choice, the committee noted that The Spiral was selected for being “a new genre film, by a young director who has recently begun his career and has been appreciated by audiences and national and international critics.” This endorsement underscores the film's innovative approach and Strippoli's burgeoning reputation.
Italy boasts a rich history at the Academy Awards, having secured the Best International Feature Film Oscar multiple times. Their last victory in this category was in 2014 with Paolo Sorrentino’s critically lauded The Great Beauty, setting a high bar for The Spiral as it embarks on its Oscar journey.