Daniele Luchetti Directs ‘Confidenza’: A New Psychological Drama

Italian filmmaker Daniele Luchetti, best known for opening the 2020 Venice Film Festival with The Ties, has returned to the director’s chair with his latest feature, Confidenza. Based on the novel by Domenico Starnone, the film explores the volatile psychological fallout of a secret shared between two lovers. It premiered at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam before reaching wider audiences, marking another collaboration between Luchetti and Starnone following their work on The Ties.

What Is the Plot of ‘Confidenza’?

Confidenza follows Pietro Vella, a high school teacher played by Elio Germano, who enters into a passionate relationship with his former student, Teresa Quadraro, portrayed by Federica Rosellini. In an attempt to solidify their bond, the couple decides to share their most shameful secrets with one another. According to the official production notes, this act of “confidenza”—or intimacy—becomes a psychological weapon that haunts Pietro for decades, threatening his reputation and his subsequent family life.

Who Are the Key Players Behind the Camera?

The film reunites a seasoned creative team familiar with the nuances of Italian domestic drama. Daniele Luchetti directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Francesco Piccolo. The project is produced by Rai Cinema and Indiana Production. Music plays a central role in the film’s atmosphere, featuring an original score by Thom Yorke, the frontman of Radiohead. This marks the second time Yorke has composed for a feature film, following his work on Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake in 2018.

How Does ‘Confidenza’ Compare to ‘The Ties’?

While both Confidenza and The Ties are adaptations of Domenico Starnone’s literary works, critics note a shift in tone. The Ties focused on the fraying of a long-term marriage and the resulting trauma passed down to children. In contrast, Confidenza is described as a darker, more claustrophobic character study. According to reviews from Screen Daily, the film functions as a thriller of the psyche, where the narrative tension relies on the protagonist’s fear of exposure rather than external action.

Production Details at a Glance

What Happens Next for the Film?

Following its festival circuit run, Confidenza has secured distribution in Italy through Vision Distribution. The film continues to serve as a bellwether for the current trend of Italian cinema focusing on high-concept literary adaptations. As Luchetti continues his exploration of the Starnone universe, industry observers are tracking how the film’s unique genre-bending approach—mixing domestic drama with the pacing of a noir—performs in the European market compared to traditional period dramas.