Movies: Everything I Don't Know (2025) by Ana Lambarri: A Journey to Personal Reinvention

Rediscovering Ambition in the Routine

Todo lo que no sé (in English, Everything I Don't Know) is a Spanish drama from first-time director Ana Lambarri. The film follows Laura (Susana Abaitua), a 35-year-old woman whose life has become monotonous and predictable. After a traumatic experience in her career, Laura has resigned herself to a less demanding existence, dividing her time between her sick father, an unfulfilling job, and a stagnant relationship. However, her routine is disrupted when a former colleague proposes she return to a technological project she had abandoned. Laura accepts, embarking on a journey to reclaim her ambition and a part of herself she believed was lost. This path forces her to make decisions that shake her world and confront her with the high price of prioritizing herself.

Why to watch this movie: An Honest Portrayal of the Modern Woman

• Magnificent Acting: The film is sustained by the performance of Susana Abaitua, who is widely praised for her ability to portray the anger, vulnerability, and ambition of her character in a credible and moving way.

• Intimate and Profound Drama: The movie is an intelligent drama that focuses on the internal journey of its protagonist. Instead of a complex plot, it offers a deep exploration of prejudices, fears, and the need to fail in order to grow.

• A Promising Debut: Despite some repetitive moments, Ana Lambarri's debut feature is praised for its energy and boldness, demonstrating the potential of a director with a clear voice and a distinctive vision.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/todo-lo-que-no-se-2025 (Spain)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt33513266/

About movie: https://39escalones.es/

What is the Trend followed?: "Auteur Cinema" and Generational Drama

• Female Protagonist: The film fits into the growing trend of movies that center on the complex experiences of women, exploring themes such as self-realization, ambition, and social pressure from a female perspective.

• Generational Drama: It follows the trend of dramas that explore the anxieties and dilemmas of the 30-to-40 age group, a period of life marked by personal and professional re-evaluation.

• Impactful Indie Cinema: It aligns with the movement of independent films that use intimate, low-budget narratives to make relevant and profound comments about society.

Director's Vision: Baring Human Emotion

• Ana Lambarri, in her debut, sought to strip away prejudices about women and explore their vulnerability and selfishness.

• Her vision was to portray the rage and ambition in a young woman in an honest and unvarnished way.

• The director intended to tell "everything in every shot," which gives the film a special energy and dynamism, despite the simplicity of its premise.

Themes: Self-Realization, Guilt, and The Search for Success

• Self-Realization: The main theme is the search for self-realization. The film raises the question of whether it is possible to find happiness and success in one's professional life while also attending to family responsibilities.

• Guilt and Sacrifice: The character of Laura struggles with guilt for wanting to prioritize herself and her career, a conflict that resonates with many people who feel trapped between social expectations and their own desires.

• Success in Modern Life: The film explores the definition of success in modern life, arguing that the path to happiness often requires making difficult decisions and prioritizing oneself, even if it means leaving people from the past behind.

Key success factors: Authenticity and Cast

• Susana Abaitua's Performance: The actress's performance is the most outstanding success factor, as her ability to convey the emotional complexity of the character has been crucial for the film's positive reception.

• Solid Script: The script, although with some repetitive scenes, is considered solid and effective in building a narrative that keeps the viewer immersed in the story.

• The Director's Voice: The energy and clarity of Ana Lambarri's vision are another key factor, as her debut has been valued for its boldness and its ability to tell a story with a unique voice.

Awards and Nominations: Festival Recognition

The film has been presented at the Málaga Film Festival, where it was praised as part of a "new wave of female directors that are refreshing Spanish cinema."

Critics Reception: Positive and Promising

• Filmaffinity: Professional reviews describe it as an "intelligent, skillful, and effective drama" and a "meritorious debut" for the director.

• Diario El País: The critic Javier Ocaña calls it a "good vindication of rage, vulnerability, selfishness, and ambition in a young woman."

The critical reception is mostly positive, highlighting its boldness and emotional honesty.

Reviews: Moving and Real

• Critics have noted that the film is a "drama that works well" and that its main strength lies in the performance of its protagonist and the clarity of its vision.

• Although it is mentioned that some scenes may be somewhat slow, it is generally considered a notable film that manages to connect with the viewer.

What Big Social Trend is following: Self-Realization and Mental Health

The film addresses the major social trend of self-realization and the recognition of mental health. Through Laura's story, it explores themes such as depression, anxiety, and the guilt that often accompany the search for oneself in adulthood, inviting a reflection on the importance of self-prioritization and taking control of one's own path.

Final Verdict: A Brave and Necessary Debut

Todo lo que no sé is a promising and brave debut that handles a very current topic with sensitivity. It is an honest film, with a great performance, that offers a mirror to the anxieties and dilemmas of a generation, making it a must-watch movie.