Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley to Reunite in Benh Zeitlin’s ‘Hold On To Your Angels’
In a move that is already generating significant buzz in the film industry, Oscar winner Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are set to reunite on screen. The duo, who previously worked together on Hamnet, will lead the cast of “Hold On To Your Angels,” a new outlaw romance written and directed by Oscar nominee Benh Zeitlin.
The project is positioned as a major title for the Cannes market, blending intense realism with elements of myth and magic. With a high-profile production team and a visceral setting, the film aims to explore the fringes of American life through a catastrophic love story.
A Story of Love and Loss in the Bayou
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of South Louisiana, “Hold On To Your Angels” tells the story of two damaged souls adrift in a crumbling paradise. Paul Mescal portrays a “hell-bound outlaw,” while Jessie Buckley takes on the role of a “ferocious shepherd of lost souls.” As the two fall into a destructive, all-consuming love, they struggle against a bayou environment that threatens to drag them under.
Director Benh Zeitlin, known for his work on Beasts Of The Southern Wild and Wendy, describes the project as more than just a romance. In a statement, Zeitlin called the film “the most impossible love story I’ve ever witnessed — an outlaw romance for the end of America.” He further noted that the movie serves as “a love letter to an endangered way of life — and a rallying cry for empathy across a fractured planet.”
Powerhouse Production and Industry Backing
The film is backed by some of the most respected names in independent and prestige cinema. Plan B, the production company behind acclaimed films like Moonlight and F1, is producing the feature alongside Alex Coco under his Rapt Film banner (known for Anora and Red Rocket).
Plan B expressed high confidence in Zeitlin’s vision, stating:
“Benh has set his powerful mix of intense realism, myth, and magic against the large scale of an epic love story. This is a writer/director with a vision for the ages.”
Alex Coco added that Zeitlin possesses a “rare gift” for revealing “profound beauty and humanity in parts of America that seldom find their way onto the silver screen.”
Production Timeline and Distribution
Production for “Hold On To Your Angels” is scheduled to begin in February. The industry infrastructure supporting the film is equally robust:
- International Sales: Handled by The Veterans.
- Domestic Distribution: Represented by CAA Media Finance.
- Talent Representation: Jessie Buckley is represented by CAA, United Agents, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; Paul Mescal is represented by CAA and Curtis Brown Group; Benh Zeitlin is represented by CAA and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark.
Key Takeaways: ‘Hold On To Your Angels’
- Lead Cast: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
- Director: Benh Zeitlin (Beasts Of The Southern Wild).
- Genre: Outlaw Romance / Epic Drama.
- Setting: South Louisiana Bayou.
- Production Start: February.
- Major Producers: Plan B and Rapt Film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the lead actors in ‘Hold On To Your Angels’?
The film stars Oscar winner Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, marking a reunion for the two actors after their collaboration on Hamnet.
What is the plot of the movie?
The film is an outlaw romance set in South Louisiana, following the relationship between a “hell-bound outlaw” (Mescal) and a “ferocious shepherd of lost souls” (Buckley) as they navigate a crumbling bayou paradise.
Who is directing ‘Hold On To Your Angels’?
The film is written and directed by Benh Zeitlin, an Oscar nominee recognized for his work on Beasts Of The Southern Wild and Wendy.
When does filming begin?
Production is slated to commence in February.