Guillermo Francella and Javier Veiga Promote Thriller 'Playa de Lobos' on El Hormiguero

Argentine actor Guillermo Francella and Spanish director Javier Veiga recently appeared on the highly popular Spanish talk show El Hormiguero to generate buzz for their upcoming cinematic collaboration, the film titled Playa de Lobos. This new feature, which skillfully blends elements of psychological thriller with comedy, is slated for release in Spanish cinemas on December 5, 2025. The program, hosted by Pablo Motos, is renowned across Spain for its format, which pairs in-depth interviews with celebrities alongside engaging guest activities. During their appearance, Francella and Veiga participated in the show’s signature segment, “Deceptive Stories,” where they challenged the audience to discern truth from fiction in their personal anecdotes.

El Hormiguero stands as one of Spain's most-watched entertainment programs, having broadcast on Antena 3 since 2011, following an earlier run on Cuatro starting in 2006. Javier Veiga not only directed this Spanish-Argentine co-production but also penned the screenplay. In addition to Francella, the cast features actor Dani Rovira. The entirety of the movie’s principal photography took place on the island of Fuerteventura, lending a distinct local flavor to the tense narrative concerning the chance meeting of two vastly different men on a beach.

While visiting the studio, Francella recounted a rather unnerving incident that occurred just before filming commenced. The actor detailed being involved in a traffic accident on Fuerteventura, attributing the mishap to getting disoriented by the sheer number of roundabouts scattered across the island. The collision, which involved an oncoming vehicle, triggered the airbags. Although both he and his brother sustained bruises, Francella confirmed that his face remained untouched by the impact. Veiga, for whom this project marks his feature film directorial debut, described Playa de Lobos as essentially “a comedy with a heavy dose of thriller, or perhaps a thriller cleverly disguised as a comedy.” He noted that the decision to collaborate with Francella crystallized after they met in Miami.

The core plot centers on Manu, an employee at a beach bar, and Klaus, a tourist who stubbornly refuses to vacate the final available sun lounger, leading to an escalating confrontation filled with unforeseen twists. Francella expressed his strong attraction to the material, asserting that “when there is a solid story behind it, you feel secure.” The film, which has already garnered recognition, including an International Emmy nomination for El Hormiguero back in 2011, is anticipated to be a significant cinematic event. It promises to explore themes of conflict set against the stunning backdrop of the Canary Islands. Following its Spanish premiere on December 5, 2025, the movie is scheduled to reach Argentinian theaters on February 26, 2026.