Rights holder / Distributor: Sacher Film / Playtime
„It Will Happen Tonight“ („It will happen tonight.“") is a 2026 Italian-French-Spanish romantic drama film directed by Nani Moretti, who is also one of the screenwriters and producers of the film. The production has a duration of 103 minutes and is inspired by stories from the collection "Connections" by the Israeli writer Eshkol Nevo. The world premiere is on September 5, 2026 in the main competition of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, and the Italian premiere in cinemas is scheduled for December 3.
Plot
The story follows Matteo and Greta, two people whose destinies intersect in unusual ways, but never at the right time. Matteo is playing tennis when Greta unexpectedly appears on the court, dressed as a bride. This strange encounter leaves a strong impression on both of them, but life goes on and takes them in different directions.
Years later, fate brings them together again. In the meantime, each of them has built their own lives, gone through love, separation, family problems and disappointments. Chance encounters gradually become a thread that connects two people, constantly diverging from the right moment.
Without revealing any key moments, the film focuses on the question of whether love can overcome time and missed opportunities. Matteo and Greta must go through years, separations, and new life circumstances before they find out if the moment they have been waiting for so long will actually come.
Directing
Nani Moretti returns to Venice after a 37-year absence from the competition program, but this time he chooses a significantly more intimate and romantic story. In contrast to the political and social charge characteristic of some of his previous works, "„It Will Happen Tonight“" is above all a film about love, time and missed opportunities. Moretti himself describes his desire to create a love story about two people who constantly meet at the wrong time.
The director uses time as a primary narrative device. Rather than following a single continuous relationship, the film jumps through different periods in the characters’ lives and shows how their personal choices gradually bring them closer together. This approach gives the story the feel of a romantic coming-of-age tale, but also makes it more unpredictable than a traditional love drama.
The operator's visual work is particularly impressive. Francesco Di Giacomo, and the music of Alberto Iglesias complements the romantic atmosphere. The film combines an Italian sensibility with a broader European outlook, which makes sense given its international production.
Acting
Louis Garrel and Jasmine Trinca are at the center of the story and it is their on-screen chemistry that is one of the strongest elements of the production. Garrel presents Matteo as a man who goes through different stages of his life, without completely being able to forget the extraordinary meeting with Greta. Trinca builds Greta as an independent woman who is also looking for her place and gradually understands the meaning of this relationship.
The supporting cast includes: Hippolyte Girardeau, Angela Finocchiaro, Melina Ockerman Quie, Elena Lieti, Andrea Lattanzi, Antonio De Matteo and himself Nani Moretti. Each of them contributes to expanding the world around the main characters and to the feeling that the love story is just one part of the bigger picture of human life.
Conclusion
„It Will Happen Tonight“" is a romantic drama that relies more on emotions, timing, and chance than on traditional love intrigue. Nani Moretti creates a story about two people who constantly drift apart, but never manage to completely forget each other.
Critical reactions following the Venice premiere have been mixed, with some praising the warmth, sense of humor, and chemistry between the Louis Garrel and Jasmine Trinca, while others found the narrative overly sentimental and predictable. Variety described the film as a tired romantic comedy, while ScreenDaily highlighted its overtly melodramatic approach.
Despite the divided reactions "„It Will Happen Tonight“" represents an interesting turn in the work of Nani Moretti. It is a lighter and more openly romantic film that puts love and human intimacy at the center, rather than seeking political or social conflicts. For viewers who like European films with romantic themes, a melodramatic tone, and an unusual structure, the production is a title that deserves attention.
The film probably won't appeal to everyone, especially viewers who prefer more realistic and restrained love stories. But its idea – that sometimes two people can be right for each other but meet at the wrong time – gives it universal emotional value. Among the European films of 2026, "„It Will Happen Tonight“" stands out precisely for its belief that time can separate people, but sometimes it can also give them another chance.
