Julieta Serrano and Antonio Banderas already played mother and son, more than 30 years before, in another two movies by Pedro Almodóvar: Mujeres al borde de un ataque de "nervios" (1988) and Matador (1986)
Pedro Almodóvar's eighth collaboration with Antonio Banderas and his sixth with Penélope Cruz. Pain and Glory (2019) marks his second collaboration with both of them together, the first being Los amantes pasajeros (2013).
When Federico talks about his family to Salvador during a drink, Antonio Banderas (Salvador) was actually on the verge of tears performing the scene.
Film debut of Latin Grammy winner Rosalía. She plays one of Penélope Cruz's friends during the river scene, where she also sings.
Agustín Almodóvar: Director Pedro Almodóvar's brother, and producer of the movie, as a teacher and priest in a flashback, when Antonio Banderas' character is a small boy.