The Weight (2026 film)
| The Weight | |
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| Directed by | Padraic McKinley |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Matteo Cocco |
| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Vertical |
Release dates |
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Running time | 112 minutes |
| Countries | Germany United States |
| Language | English |
The Weight is a 2026 historical drama film directed by Padraic McKinley and starring Ethan Hawke, Julia Jones, Austin Amelio and Russell Crowe.
The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, and had its international premiere out of the competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on February 17. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on September 18, 2026, by Vertical.
Premise
Samuel Murphy is a widower in 1930s Oregon who is taken from his daughter to serve a prison sentence. Prison Warden Clancy offers Samuel and several other prisoners the opportunity to earn their freedom in exchange for partaking in a dangerous gold smuggling operation for him.
Cast
- Ethan Hawke as Samuel Murphy, a recently incarcerated man
- Russell Crowe as Warden Clancy
- Julia Jones as Anna, a headstrong Indigenous runaway who accompanies Samuel and the other prisoners
- Austin Amelio as Rankin, a wiry prisoner
- Avi Nash as Singh, an immigrant and dependable prisoner
- Lucas Lynggaad Tonnesen as Olson, a young Scandinavian prisoner
- Sam Hazeldine as Amis, Clancy's lackey
- Jeffrey Lee Hallman as Big
- Avy Berry as Penny Murphy, Samuel's daughter whom he's desperate to get back to
- George Burgess as Letender
- Alec Newman as Taggert
- Cameron Brady as The Man
- Dylan Page as Mrs. Akers
- Peter Lewys Preston as Ed Akers
- Caspar Steinbeck as Joe Akers
Production
The film is from an original screenplay by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman, and Matthew Booi, based on an original story by Booi and Leo Scherman. Padraic McKinley is the director and it is produced by Fields Entertainment, Under The Influence, and augenschein Filmproduktion, in collaboration with Construction Film. Simon Fields and Nathan Fields are producing for Fields Entertainment with Ryan Hawke for Under The Influence, and Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo of augenschein.[1]
The cast is led by Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe and Julia Jones.[2]
Principal photography took place in and around Viechtach, Germany in July 2025.[3]
Release
The Weight premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2026.[4][5] In March 2026, Vertical acquired North American distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a theatrical release in the United States on September 18.[6]
References
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (February 12, 2025). "Berlin: Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe Join Period Epic 'The Weight' (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 25, 2025). "Julia Jones Joins Ethan Hawke & Russell Crowe In 1930s Oregon Epic 'The Weight'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Hollywood bombshell: Viechtach becomes setting for film with Oscar winner Russell Crowe". pnp.de. July 22, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (December 10, 2025). "Sundance Sets 2026 Lineup With Charli XCX, Olivia Wilde, Salman Rushdie and Courtney Love Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ "The Weight". 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 19, 2026). "Ethan Hawke & Russell Crowe Sundance Pic 'The Weight' Acquired By Vertical". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
External links
- The Weight at IMDb