'' Loving Pablo '' , a Spanish drama film directed by Fernando León de Aranoa was released in 2017 , starring Cruz in the role of Virginia Vallejo , and her husband , Javier Bardem , in the role of Pablo Escobar . Based on Vallejo 's bestselling memoir '' Loving Pablo , Hating Escobar '' , the film was launched to mixed reviews during the 74th Venice International Film Festival . In order to play the role of the Colombian journalist , Cruz studied hundreds of interviews of Vallejo . Cruz had a supporting role in Kenneth Branagh 's '' Murder on the Orient Express '' ( 2017 ) , the fourth adaptation of Agatha Christie 's 1934 novel of the same name . The mystery – drama ensemble film follows world-renowned detective Hercule Poirot , who seeks to solve a murder on the famous European train in the 1930s . Cruz plays missionary and passenger Pilar Estravados , a Hispanic version of the novel 's Swedish Greta Ohlsson , opposite Johnny Depp , Michelle Pfeiffer , and Judi Dench . The film has grossed $ 306 million worldwide and received mixed to positive reviews from critics , with praise for the cast 's performances , but criticism for not adding anything new to previous adaptations
74th Venice International Film Festival
74th Venice International Film Festival
Penélope Cruz