Penélope Cruz broke down in tears and kissed husband and co-star Javier Bardem as Bunker earned a 15.5-minute standing ovation at Venice.
According to Variety, the reception was the festival’s strongest so far, just short of The Room Next Door’s 17-minute ovation in 2024.
Cruz mouthed “Thank you!” to fans, shook hands with an admirer and later said “Ciao!” as she left the Palazzo del Cinema.
Director Florian Zeller also urged the cast, including Patrick Schwarzenegger and Paul Dano, to step forward.
Bardem and Cruz play a married couple whose 17-year marriage fractures when architect Miguel agrees to build a bunker for billionaire Andrew.
Sofia questions their values and works with novelist Jeremy Gray. Cruz wore red on the carpet, collecting flowers and posing for selfies.
Zeller returns to Venice after The Son. His The Father won Oscars for Anthony Hopkins and its adapted screenplay. Sony Pictures Classics plans an awards run and early 2027 US release.
Inspired by Eyes Wide Shut and The Man Next Door, Bunker explores billionaire isolation, wealth and socio-economic pressures on relationships.
