Movie-goer Pedro Ruiz attends screening of 'The Captive' by director Amenábar, shares thoughts on the Cervantes-themed film: "The theater was packed"
In the heart of Algiers, during the year 1575, the story of prolific writer Miguel de Cervantes unfolds in 'The Captive'. The film, directed by Alejandro Amenábar, tells of Cervantes' five-year captivity, a period marked by multiple escape attempts and a possible relationship with King Hasan Bajá.
Julio Peña, known for his role in Netflix's 'Through My Window', steps into the shoes of Cervantes in this ambitious project. The film has generated controversy due to rumours about Cervantes' sexuality, with some suggesting he had intimate relations with the Turks during his captivity.
Historical advisor to the film, José Manuel Luciá Megías, has suggested that Cervantes could have had homosexual relations in Algiers. However, he stresses that there is no concrete evidence to support these claims. Luciá Megías states that the lack of documents does not necessarily mean such relations did not occur.
The film has been a significant success at the Spanish box office, positioning itself as the second best Spanish release of 2025, surpassing 1.1 million in box office in its first weekend.
The film revolves around the hypotheses and possible relationship between Cervantes and King Hasan Bajá. During his captivity, Cervantes finds refuge in his passion for storytelling and catches the attention of Hasán Bajá, the ruler of Algiers.
'The Captive' boasts a stellar cast, including well-known Spanish actors like Fernando Tejero, Roberto Álamo, José Manuel Poga, and Miguel Rellán, as well as Alessandro Borghi. However, the identity of the actor playing King Hasan Bajá remains a mystery.
Television presenter Pedro Ruiz, a regular at the box office of our country, has given his opinion on 'The Captive' after watching it. Ruiz found the film to have a great effort but a lesser result.
'The Captive' marks Amenábar's return to the big screen six years after his last film, 'While the War Lasts' (2019). Pedro Ruiz, a fan of Amenábar's films, expressed his opinion about 'The Captive' on his social networks.
However, the film has not been without controversy. Some conservative sectors have argued that unproven sexual tendencies should not be given a voice in 'The Captive'. Despite this, the film continues to captivate audiences and spark discussion.
Pedro Ruiz, a fan of Amenábar's films, has shared his personal vision of the film about Cervantes on his social networks. Blanco de Paz, a character in 'The Captive', accused Cervantes of having intimate and familiar relations with the Turks. However, Luciá Megías did not confirm specific details about Cervantes' sexual relations in Algiers.
In 'The Captive', Amenábar presents a compelling narrative that delves into the life of one of Spain's most celebrated writers, offering a unique perspective on his captivity and the events that unfolded during that period. Despite the controversy, the film has proven to be a captivating addition to Amenábar's body of work.
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