Better Class (Spanish: Altas capacidades) is a 2026 comedy-drama film directed by Víctor García León and co-written by Borja Cobeaga. Its cast features Israel Elejalde and Marian Álvarez along with Juan Diego Botto, Natalia Reyes, Suso Nanclares, and Pilar Castro.

The film premiered at the 29th Málaga Film Festival ahead ot its 27 March 2026 theatrical release in Spain by BTeam Pictures.

Plot

The plot follows a middle class couple formed by Alicia and Gonzalo who see the opportunity of enrolling their son Fer on a prestigious secular school, thereby promoting their social clout to the upper class, although they pretend to do it for the boy's future.

Cast

Production

The film is a Buenapinta Media (Marisa Fernández Armenteros), Sayaka Producciones (Nahikari Ipiña[es]), Colosé Producciones (Sandra Hermida), Think Studio (Eneko Lizarraga) and Altas Capacidades Película AIE co-production with Cimarrón (Santiago López), a The Mediapro Studio company. It had the participation of RTVE, Movistar Plus+, and Orange.

Filming began on 10 February 2025. Eva Díaz Iglesias worked as director of photography, using an Arri Alexa 35 camera and Arri Ensō lenses. Shooting locations included a school in La Moraleja.

Release

The film was presented in the main competitive section of the 29th Málaga Film Festival in March 2026. Distributed by BTeam Pictures, it was released theatrically in Spain on 27 March 2026.

Reception

Enric Albero[ca] of El Cultural found in the film "a dramatic and aesthetic refinement that Spanish film comedy has been renouncing for years", vindicated by the director by "populating the story with ignoble characters" and "emptying it of psychologisms".

Víctor A. Gómez of La Opinión de Málaga lamented that all the characters "come across as unpleasant, but unfortunately not in a likeable, attractive way", although pointing out that Botto nails his character as stylish and suave boss of ultimate bastardry.

Joan Pons of Ara rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, writing that the comedy is "very subtle, has a script that makes you say 'Yes, sir,' and delivers piercing truths with a half-smile".

Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas gave the film a 72-point score, determining to be one of those films that "leave you pondering, with a wry smile and a strong sense of unease, because it feels more like reality than fiction", otherwise highlighting a superlative Botto as the best thing about the film.

Beatriz Martínez of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it "a magnificent satire that explores public education, ideological clashes, the anxiety surrounding social mobility, and contemporary hypocrisy".

Rubén Romero Santos of Cinemanía rated the film 3½ out of 5 stars, deeming it to be "a chilling, uncomfortable comedy that could easily have been directed by Ruben Östlund".

In a 4-star rating, Luis Martínez of El Mundo assessed that the film "delivers laughters just as easily as it freezes them".

Manuel J. Lombardo of Diario de Sevilla gave the film a 4-star rating, assessing that it reveals a recognisable Spain full of esperpento "without resorting to exaggeration, caricature or distortion".

Guillermo Balbona of El Diario Montañés gave the film a 5-star rating, writing that it excels in "its dialogues and situations, like a finely honed and sharp scalpel, cutting and incisive".

Carlos Boyero of El País assessed that "the satire is believable. And subtle. And nothing feels forced", while also mentioning a "masterful" performance by Botto.

See also

External links

  • at ICAA's Catálogo de Cinespañol