Filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, collectively known as Los Javis, are bringing their ambitious historical drama, "La Bola Negra," to audiences this fall, following a string of critical successes. The film, a sprawling queer epic, has quickly positioned itself as a major contender in the upcoming awards season, having already earned the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival's People’s Choice Awards, a key precursor to Oscar recognition. Additionally, Los Javis shared the Best Director award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival with Pawel Pawlikowski for his film "Fatherland," signaling significant industry acclaim for their latest work, as reported by Indiewire.

"La Bola Negra" draws its inspiration from an unfinished play by the iconic Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca. Lorca, a prominent gay writer and a member of the Generation of ’27 literary movement, was tragically murdered in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War by Francisco Franco's followers, his body never recovered. The film meticulously weaves together three distinct yet interconnected storylines, each exploring the lives of gay men across a century of Spanish history, honoring Lorca's legacy and themes.

The narrative spans multiple eras, beginning in 1932 with a storyline directly adapted from Lorca's original play. This segment follows a young man named Carlos (Milo Quife) as he seeks membership to his father's casino, only to face accusations of homosexuality, reflecting the societal pressures of the time. A second storyline, set in 1937 amidst the Spanish Civil War, draws from Alberto Conejero’s play "La piedra oscura." Conejero also co-wrote the screenplay for "La Bola Negra" with Los Javis. This segment introduces Sebastián (Guitarricadelafuente), a musician turned Nationalist soldier, who forms a complex relationship with Rafael Rodríguez Rapún (Miguel Bernardeau), a prisoner-of-war who was Lorca's real-life lover.

The final storyline brings the narrative into the modern era, unfolding in 2017. Here, we meet Alberto (Carlos González), a history graduate student deeply engrossed in researching queer music from the 1920s. His academic pursuits take an unexpected turn with the sudden death of his long-lost maternal grandfather, adding a layer of personal discovery to the historical exploration.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring celebrated talents such as Pedro Almodóvar's frequent collaborator Lola Dueñas, a scene-stealing Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close, who notably performs in Spanish. Julio Torres and Yenesi also appear in key roles. The score for "La Bola Negra" is composed by Raül Refree, complemented by the original song "La Nieve," both written and performed by Guitarricadelafuente, who also stars in the film.

"La Bola Negra" will begin its theatrical run in select Los Angeles and New York cinemas starting October 16, with a wider release to follow. This theatrical window marks Netflix's longest to date for one of its titles, before the film makes its debut on the streaming platform on December 2.