The Weight": Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe Shine in Gripping Tale of Survival and Sacrifice
Ethan Hawke stars in the thrilling film "The Weight," set in Oregon during the Great Depression. The movie received critical acclaim at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and boasts a 94% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. Vertical acquired the North American distribution rights, with a nationwide theatrical release scheduled for September 18. The first trailer for the film has been released, showcasing Hawke's character, Samuel Murphy, who receives a dangerous offer from Warden Clancy, played by Russell Crowe. The trailer teases a harrowing journey as Murphy leads a group of prisoners through the wilderness to smuggle gold.
The official synopsis hints at betrayal within the crew as Murphy grapples with how far he will go to reunite with his daughter. Alongside Hawke and Crowe, the cast includes Julia Jones, Austin Amelio, Avi Nash, and Sam Hazeldine. This marks the first time Hawke and Crowe have starred in a movie together. Both actors have received critical acclaim throughout their careers, with the potential for more accolades with "The Weight."
Directed by Padraic McKinley, with a screenplay by Matthew Chapman and Shelby Gaines, "The Weight" is a gripping tale of survival and sacrifice. The film is executive produced by a talented team and produced by a dedicated group of individuals. Vertical, the distributor of the film, has a lineup of exciting releases in the coming months, including Crowe's "The Get Out" and Andrew Garfield's "The Magic Faraway Tree." "The Weight" has a runtime of 115 minutes and is set to hit theaters on September 18.
Don't miss the thrilling journey of "The Weight" as Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe deliver captivating performances in this gripping tale of desperation and redemption.