Sundays
Sundays (Los domingos) is a Spanish drama film released in 2025, directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. The movie centers on 17-year-old Ainara, who expresses a desire to become a cloistered nun, a decision that creates significant tension and conflict within her liberal, middle-class family. The film explores themes of faith, personal autonomy, and family dynamics, presenting a nuanced portrayal of a coming-of-age story intertwined with a crisis of faith. It has been recognized for its intimate and empathetic tone, earning accolades such as the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and multiple Goya Awards. The narrative focuses on the emotional repercussions of Ainara's spiritual calling on her widowed father, Iñaki, and her atheist aunt, Maite, as they navigate their differing perspectives on life and belief.
Concerns
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film explores adult relationships, specifically the protagonist Ainara's father, Iñaki, having a new girlfriend, Estibaliz, and her aunt Maite's marriage to Pablo being in crisis. However, the primary focus is Ainara's spiritual calling to become a nun, which inherently suggests a celibate path for her. There are no mentions of explicit sexual content or graphic scenes. Romantic interactions appear to be implied or form part of the background of adult family life.
Ainara's father, Iñaki, has a new girlfriend, Estibaliz, suggesting an adult romantic relationship in the background of the family's life. Additionally, Ainara's aunt Maite and her husband Pablo are experiencing a 'troubled marriage,' indicating themes of marital strain.
Profanity
MediumWhile specific details on profanity are not extensively mentioned in the available reviews, the film's genre as a family and faith-based drama suggests that any strong language would likely be infrequent and contextually driven by emotional family disagreements. It is unlikely to feature pervasive or graphic profanity. The 'perfectly modulated intensity' mentioned in a review implies a controlled narrative tone.
The narrative involves 'simmering family tensions' and 'rifts' over Ainara's decision, which could lead to instances of frustration or mild expletives during heated discussions among family members. Although no direct quotes are provided, the portrayal of family conflict might include some strong language to convey realistic emotional responses.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie is categorized as a drama with a 'crisis-of-faith' narrative, involving 'family rifts' and 'shock' caused by Ainara's decision. Reviews mention 'simmering family tensions' and a 'perfectly modulated intensity,' suggesting significant emotional and psychological stress for the characters. Ainara experiences a 'real-time struggle with her faith' which could be intense for viewers. While not horror, the emotional stakes are high.
Ainara's announcement that she wants to become a nun creates a 'chasm' and 'shock' within her family, leading to emotionally intense scenes as they react with 'astonishment'. Ainara's 'real-time struggle with her faith' and her family's differing viewpoints contribute to the film's 'perfectly modulated intensity'.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe core conflict of the film revolves around Ainara's decision to pursue a religious vocation, which goes against her family's expectations for her to attend university. This act is perceived as defiance or rebellion by her family, causing 'rifts' and challenging their 'liberal principles.' Her aunt, Maite, explicitly advises Ainara to 'experience more of life' before making such a decision, highlighting the generational and worldview clash.
Ainara's choice to become a cloistered nun is presented as a challenge to her family's expectations for her university education, creating 'family rifts'. Her father, Iñaki, despite claiming open-mindedness, is described as 'putting his patriarchal foot down in brooking no opposition from the others,' indicating a power struggle and resistance to Ainara's autonomy.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowComprehensive searches for 'Sundays (2025)' and its director, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, in conjunction with various LGBTQ+ keywords (lgbtq, gay, lesbian, transgender, queer, etc.) did not yield any specific information or confirmed instances of LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation within the film itself. Search results primarily focused on general LGBTQ+ awareness days, pride events, or other films and series with LGBTQ+ content in 2025. While one reviewer identified as an 'LGBT writer', this refers to the reviewer's personal identity and not the movie's content.
No specific examples of LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or gender identity themes were found in relation to the film 'Sundays (2025)' through the performed searches. The content appears to focus solely on the heterosexual family dynamics and the protagonist's religious vocation.
Violence
LowThe film is described as a drama focusing on family rifts and emotional conflict rather than physical violence. Reviews highlight an 'intimate and empathetic tone' and a 'nuanced portrayal' of the characters' struggles. There is no indication of graphic violence, combat, or severe physical harm being depicted in the plot summaries or critical reviews.
The plot centers on a 17-year-old's decision to join a cloistered convent and the 'chasm' it creates within her family, indicating emotional rather than physical altercations. The narrative emphasizes 'family tensions' and a 'crisis-of-faith drama,' suggesting a lack of explicit violent scenes.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe film explicitly deals with Christian religious themes, centering on a young woman's calling to a cloistered convent. Ainara claims to 'speak to God and God sometimes answers her back,' which is framed within a spiritual context of faith rather than occult practices. There are no mentions of witchcraft, sorcery, demons, spells, or other supernatural elements outside of a Christian spiritual framework.
Ainara's intention to join a 'cloistered convent' and her belief that 'she speaks to God and God sometimes answers her back' are presented as elements of her Christian spiritual journey, not as engagement with occult or witchcraft practices.
Substance Use
LowThe film features Ainara's father, Iñaki, as a 'restaurateur,' which implies that alcohol might be present in a social or business setting. However, there are no mentions in the plot summaries or reviews of substance abuse, heavy drinking, smoking, or illegal drug use by any characters, nor is it a central theme.
The presence of a restaurateur father, Iñaki, suggests that alcoholic beverages may be seen in his professional or social environments. However, there are no indications of substance misuse or prominent scenes focused on alcohol or drug consumption.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film centrally features a Christian religious calling and explores it with 'unmatched respect and tenderness,' without 'lapsing into romantisation.' It is noted for portraying becoming a nun as a 'bona fide and positive life choice,' which contrasts with many modern films that depict religious institutions negatively. While it delves into a 'crisis-of-faith drama' and different viewpoints, it aims to present these perspectives empathically, 'regardless of whether you have faith or not,' rather than actively promoting anti-Christian sentiments.
The film's objective is to explore diverse perspectives on faith and life, with one review stating it makes viewers 'understand each point of view and reaction regardless of whether you have faith or not.' Additionally, convent life is shown with 'unmatched respect and tenderness,' and the film avoids negative portrayals common in other media, suggesting an absence of anti-Christian themes.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Parental Guidance (PG) for mature thematic elements and family conflict. While there is no MPAA rating available for this Spanish film, the storyline deals with a teenager's profound religious calling and the resulting intense family disagreements. The film's 'perfectly modulated intensity' and exploration of a 'crisis-of-faith' suggest emotional complexity suitable for discussion with younger viewers, but potentially overwhelming for very young children.
Additional Notes
The film focuses heavily on internal and interpersonal drama, particularly the tension between a young woman's spiritual calling and her family's secular worldview. While specific scenes of intense content are not widely detailed in early reviews, the thematic elements suggest a film that prompts reflection and discussion, especially regarding faith, family expectations, and personal choices. Parents should be prepared for nuanced discussions on religious vocation and family conflict. The movie's runtime is approximately 110-116 minutes.
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