← Back to results
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios
1988 88 min Spain R 18+
★8.2
Comedy, Drama
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
After being dumped by her lover, Pepa finds her life and the lives of those around her spiraling out of control in a deliciously chaotic series of events.
Budget:
$700,000
US Gross:
$7.25M
Worldwide:
$14.98M
Starring
Carmen Maura
Actor
Antonio Banderas
Actor
Julieta Serrano
Actor
Awards
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Picture
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Original Screenplay
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Actress
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Picture
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Original Screenplay
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Costume Design
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Supporting Actress
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 1990
— Best International Feature Film
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Actress
European Film Awards 1988
— Best Production Design
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Film Editing
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Production Management
European Film Awards 1988
— Best Actress
European Film Awards 1988
— Best Film by a Young Director
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Sound
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Visual Effects
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1989
— Best International Feature Film
Venice Film Festival 1988
— Golden Osella – Best Screenplay
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Original Score
Goya Awards 1989
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Key opinion
Almodóvar’s vibrant comedy-drama is widely celebrated for its chaotic, energetic portrayal of female passion and heartbreak within a stylized, absurd universe. While a few viewers find the lack of a traditional, logical plot alienating, most audiences appreciate its theatrical charm and rhythmic, non-stop momentum.
| Acting | The cast delivers charismatic, high-energy performances that effectively ground the film's eccentric character archetypes. | |
| Production | The film is visually striking, utilizing a bold color palette—particularly intense reds—to externalize the characters' turbulent internal states. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the plot are divided; some critics admire its unique, non-standard narrative structure and farcical unpredictability, while others feel it lacks a clear, cohesive story. | |
| Pacing | The film’s rapid-fire, soap-opera-like rhythm creates an engaging, high-stakes atmosphere that maintains audience interest. | |
| Ending | The ending offers a satisfying, if loose, resolution that embraces the absurdity of the preceding events. |