13/11/2025 - In March, the US actor will star in the new movie by the French filmmaker, which is being staged by Mandarin and sold by Playtime

Principal photography on Santo Subito! is due to kick off on 9 March. This will be the tenth feature by Bertrand Bonello, following The Pornographer (Cannes Critics’ Week 2001), Tiresia (in competition at Cannes in 2003), On War [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (Directors’ Fortnight 2008), House of Tolerance [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Adèle Haenel
film profile] (in competition at Cannes in 2011), Saint Laurent [+see also:
film review
trailer
Q&A: Bertrand Bonello
film profile] (in competition at Cannes in 2014), Nocturama [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bertrand Bonello
film profile] (in competition at Toronto and at San Sebastián in 2016), Zombi Child [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bertrand Bonello
film profile] (Directors’ Fortnight 2019), Coma [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bertrand Bonello
film profile] (Berlinale Encounters 2022) and The Beast [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bertrand Bonello
film profile] (in competition at Venice in 2023).

Toplining the cast is US thesp Mark Ruffalo (nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2024 for Poor Things [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Suzy Bemba
Q&A: Yorgos Lanthimos
film profile], and seen this year in Mickey 17).

Written by the director and Thomas Bidegain (nominated for the 2025 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Emilia Pérez [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), the story is set in the wake of 2 April 2005, when the death of Pope John Paul II sent shockwaves across the Catholic world. The story follows US-born Father Joseph Murolo (Ruffalo), summoned by the Vatican to lead the investigation into the pontiff’s life. As devil’s advocate, Murolo must make sure that nothing undermines the sanctification of Karol Wojtyla, the first non-Italian pope in 450 years. As he interviews a range of witnesses – ranging from devoted colleagues to secret confidants – Murolo is drawn ever deeper into a moral labyrinth. This journey of truth will ultimately put his own faith to the test.

Produced by French company Mandarin & Compagnie, co-produced by Italian outfit Indiana Production and Polish firm Madants, and benefiting from backing from pan-European studio Vuelta, Santo Subito! will be shot in Italy and Poland, with Josée Deshaies as director of photography, Dimitri Capuani in charge of production design and Edoardo Russo responsible for costumes. Its international sales are overseen by Playtime.

(Translated from French)