Dazed, one of the world’s most influential cultural magazines, has placed Carolina Cavalli’s The Kidnapping of Arabella at number eleven in its ranking of the 20 best films of 2025, published on December 9th. A strong international recognition for a film produced by Tenderstories that, since its premiere in the Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival – where Benedetta Porcaroli won the Best Female Performance award – has continued to build critical momentum worldwide.

Critic Nick Chen describes the film as “a striking, existential comedy”, praising Carolina Cavalli’s commitment to its premise: “it fully commits to its bizarre premise, ensuring you’re never sure what will happen next.” At the centre of the story, Holly (Benedetta Porcaroli) stumbles upon a seven-year-old girl, Arabella, convinced she’s meeting her younger self. A road movie with Chris Pine in the unexpected supporting role of Arabella’s Italian-speaking father.