Nobelstone
August 19th, 2026
MOVIE: NOBLESTONE
STARRING: LUCIA GOYA BETTS
DIRECTED BY: ALBERT GOYA
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 1 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 94 MINUTES
The major highlight of director Albert Goya’s independent film Nobelstone is that Goya is just 19 years old. I could explain the harsh realities of becoming a filmmaker in independent circles, but no matter what I think of his work, the accomplishment of making a feature film on his own dime at such a young age is a remarkable feat. Sadly, having the inspiration, the drive, and a certain set of talents does not always make for a good movie. Nobelstone is an interesting arthouse film about a woman living in the countryside who hires a house worker who happens to be eccentric. The longer the two spend time together, the more they grow to dislike one another. The result is a film that truly tested my patience.
An interesting factor is that the main character, known as the Lady of the House, is played by Goya’s sister, Lucia Goya Betts. She delivers a calm, restrained, and straightforward performance. The house worker, Karen, is also played by Betts, only this time she’s sporting a laughable Ronald McDonald-red wig, odd white makeup, and a performance that seems intentionally designed to be as annoying as possible. It reminded me of a theater kid attempting to give a performance that may seem funny in their head but is embarrassing to watch from the outside.
Back and forth, the scenes unfold as the two characters discuss what art is, while Karen continues to judge her host or sing incredibly annoying songs that would make a dog cover its ears. Sadly, it’s the scenes away from Karen that show the most promise. Goya understands how to set a scene and use intersecting shots of the surrounding scenery to create some genuinely beautiful cinematography. Even the score, also composed by Goya, has an eerie tension that I was able to appreciate. Unfortunately, it all goes to waste as the narrative runs in circles before finally reaching the climax of a relationship at its wits’ end.
Once again, it feels wrong to dislike a film such as Nobelstone, which embodies some of the very values and ideals of independent cinema today. There is something inherently impressive about a teenager making a movie that obviously had little to no budget and using all of his creative energy to bring it to life. There is something underneath the annoyances. Goya seems inspired by films such as Persona or, more recently, May December, hoping to dissect a pair of women through their similarities, differences, and darkest secrets. Unfortunately, that dissection is hindered by redundant dialogue and constantly derailed by Karen’s presence.
Despite my criticisms, what I will take away from Nobelstone is that Albert Goya has the talent and skills to make a successful film. That is truly what matters: showing that with more collaboration, more resources, and even more failures, greater success can ultimately follow. Nobelstone can at least be called a moral victory.
1 ½ STARS
NOBELSTONE IS SEARCHING FOR DISTRIBUTION AND IS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF SETTING A RELEASE DATE.
Written by: Leo Brady
