Willem Dafoe Stars in Mediterranean Thriller ‘The Birthday Party,’ Now Streaming on Lionsgate+

Willem Dafoe leads a Mediterranean-set psychological thriller that just hit Lionsgate+ on Prime Video.

The Birthday Party follows Marcos Timoleon, an Aristotle Onassis-style tycoon throwing a lavish bash for his daughter Sofia on his private island in the late 1970s. The party becomes a powder keg when Sofia arrives with news of her own, just as her controlling father secretly plots a major decision about her future.

Writer-director Miguel Ángel Jiménez crafted the drama around the clash between Marcos and Sofia as the party spirals into chaos. The cast includes Vic Carmen Sonne, Joe Cole, Emma Suárez, and Carlos Cuevas. Producers Giorgos Karnavas, Adria Mones, Erik Glijnis, Leontine Petit, and Kurban Kassam brought the 103-minute feature to life.

The film taps into themes of power, control, and family secrets, set against the Mediterranean backdrop. As guests arrive and night falls, the decadent celebration builds toward what the filmmakers describe as a heartbreaking climax.

Lionsgate+ offers the film ad-free as part of its $6.99 monthly subscription on Prime Video, with a seven-day free trial available. The service positions itself as the streaming home for Lionsgate’s extensive catalog of dramas, action franchises, and comedies.

For indie filmmakers, it’s another example of how talent-driven thrillers can find their audience through streaming platforms, even without a traditional theatrical run.

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