Lionsgate+ has released the new trailer for The Birthday Party (titled El anfitrión in Spain), the film that puts Willem Dafoe at the head of an international cast in a story of power, luxury, and family secrets. The premiere is scheduled for October 8, 2026, via the platform on Prime Video, making this preview the first full look at the plot before it reaches the public.
Interest in the project is no coincidence. Dafoe returns to a role that seems designed for his particular acting range, while the film arrives backed by its previous run at a major European festival and a cast that combines names from different film industries.
Willem Dafoe controls the party in The Birthday Party
In the film, Dafoe plays Marcos Timoleon, an immensely wealthy tycoon who organizes a birthday celebration for his daughter on a private Mediterranean island. The action is set in the late 1970s, and the character is inspired by figures such as businessman Aristotle Onassis.
Timoleon is described as ruthless in business and accustomed to deciding the lives of those around him, including his own daughter. That dynamic of control is put to the test during the party, when Sofia, his only heir, arrives at the event with news she intends to share just as her father is secretly preparing an important decision regarding her future.
As the night progresses, the celebration becomes increasingly unhinged, while numerous guests take the opportunity to approach the tycoon with their own agendas. The clash between father and daughter emerges as the central axis of the story, wrapped in an atmosphere of extreme wealth and family tensions.
A cast featuring Willem Dafoe, Emma Suárez, and Carlos Cuevas
Alongside Dafoe appear Vic Carmen Sonne, known for her role in Godland; Joe Cole, remembered for series such as Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London; Emma Suárez, star of titles such as Julieta; and Carlos Cuevas, popular for his work in Merlí and Smiley.
The film is directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who also co-wrote the script with Giorgos Karnavas and Nicos Panayotopoulos. The Birthday Party had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival before finalizing its international distribution.
Willem Dafoe has no plans to take his foot off the gas
The actor is living through one of the most active stages of his career. Since returning to play the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, he has participated in projects as varied as The Northman, Asteroid City, Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and Nosferatu.
His schedule remains full. Dafoe has the upcoming projects Tenzing and Werwulf, the latter being especially talked about because it marks his reunion with director Robert Eggers, with whom he had previously collaborated.
When does The Birthday Party premiere?
The Birthday Party will arrive on Lionsgate+ on Prime Video on October 8, 2026. The premise combines a seemingly simple setup—a family celebration that spirals out of control—with the presence of an actor like Dafoe in the role of a man accustomed to controlling everything.
If the tone of the trailer is a reliable indicator, Sofia's birthday could turn into anything but a quiet party.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Birthday Party?
It is a film directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez starring Willem Dafoe, centered on a tycoon who organizes his daughter's birthday party on a private island while managing family and business secrets.
When does The Birthday Party premiere?
Its streaming premiere is set for October 8, 2026, via Lionsgate+ on Prime Video.
Who plays the lead in The Birthday Party?
Willem Dafoe brings to life Marcos Timoleon, a tycoon inspired by figures like Aristotle Onassis.
Who is in the cast of The Birthday Party?
In addition to Willem Dafoe, the cast includes Vic Carmen Sonne, Joe Cole, Emma Suárez, and Carlos Cuevas.
At which festival did The Birthday Party premiere?
The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival.
What is the plot of The Birthday Party about?
It tells the story of how the birthday party of Sofia, the daughter of a powerful tycoon, becomes the setting for family tensions, personal interests, and a secret decision her father is preparing regarding her future.
