Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe’s ‘The Weight’ Lands North American Distribution with Vertical Entertainment

Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to “The Weight,” a historical drama starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe. The film, directed by Padraic McKinley, is slated for a wide theatrical release on September 18, 2026, following its premieres at the Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals.

Synopsis

Set in 1930s Oregon, “The Weight” follows Samuel Murphy (Hawke), a widower and prisoner who is offered a chance at freedom by Warden Clancy (Crowe). The proposition involves a dangerous gold smuggling operation, testing the limits of Samuel and his fellow inmates as they navigate betrayal and violence in the unforgiving wilderness. The film explores the lengths one man will go to reunite with his daughter.

Critical Reception and Festival Circuit

“The Weight” premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 26 and subsequently screened at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in February, out of competition. The film has garnered positive attention, achieving a 94% fresh critical score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Creative Team

The screenplay is penned by Matthew Chapman, Shelby Gaines, and Matthew Booi, with a story by Booi and Leo Scherman. The film features cinematography by Matteo Cocco and editing by Padraic McKinley and Matthew Woolley. Shelby Gaines and Latham Gaines composed the music.

Production Details

“The Weight” is a production of Fields Entertainment, Under The Influence, and Augenschein Filmproduktion. Producers include Ryan Hawke, Simon Fields, Nathan Fields, Jonas Katzenstein, and Maximilian Leo. The film stars Ethan Hawke, Julia Jones, Austin Amelio, and Russell Crowe.

Upcoming Releases

Beyond “The Weight,” Vertical Entertainment also has several other films slated for release. Sam Raimi’s “Send Support” and Sony Animation’s “Goat” are scheduled for release on March 24, 2026, while “Pillion” and “Scream 7” are rumored to arrive on March 31, 2026. Justin Lin’s “Last Days” is currently available on Prime Video, with “Primate” debuting on Paramount+ on March 25, 2026, and “Clika” and “28 Days Later: The Bone Temple” arriving on Netflix on March 31, 2026.

Other Film News

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the filmmaking duo behind “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” plan to start filming their next sci-fi action comedy in Summer 2026, with a projected release date of November 2027. Paul Greengrass is set to direct the thriller “Test Drive” at 20th Century Studios, based on a script by Matt Venne.