Alejandro González Iñárritu returned to the Cannes Film Festival this May to honor the 25th anniversary of his debut feature Amores Perros, reflecting on the film’s enduring impact and previewing his next bold collaboration.
The Mexican director recalled that when he first brought the interwoven triptych of urban trauma to Cannes in 2000, critics and audiences alike were struck by its raw energy and the storytelling device that linked three disparate lives through a single car crash.
He credited cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto’s kinetic camera work and Gustavo Santaolalla’s haunting score as foundational to Amores Perros’ visceral style, which later influenced a generation of filmmakers exploring nonlinear narratives. Festival delegates, including filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, praised the film as one of the finest debuts of the 21st century, noting its unflinching gaze at human cruelty and loyalty.
Speaking to press on the Croisette, Iñárritu described his upcoming project with Tom Cruise—recently wrapped under the working title Judy—as “a brutal, wild comedy of catastrophic proportions” that intentionally diverges from Cruise’s action-hero image. He emphasized that the new film eschews death-defying stunts in favor of a character-driven story “mounted on the shoulders of Tom,” allowing the star’s underexplored comedic timing to shine.
According to The Playlist, Iñárritu was “so f**king impressed” by Cruise’s willingness to embrace vulnerability, marking a creative partnership he says challenged him to “not repeat” past work. Production sources confirm the ensemble also includes Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons and Riz Ahmed, and that editing will commence in London next month ahead of its fall 2026 release.
Industry observers suggest this pairing could signal a strategic pivot for both creators: Iñárritu stepping into lighter territory after two decades of psychological drama, and Cruise deepening his auteur credentials beyond high-octane franchises.
Early reactions from Warner Bros. executives characterize the project as a potential awards contender, noting its blend of dark humor and emotional depth. As Cannes attendees celebrated Amores Perros’ silver jubilee, Iñárritu’s reflections underscored a career defined by reinvention and a refusal to stay within cinematic comfort zones.
