The Weight is a 2026 Western thriller directed by Padraic McKinley in his feature directorial debut.
Film Overview
Set in Oregon during the Great Depression (1933), the film follows Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke), a man forcibly separated from his young daughter and sent to a brutal labor camp. The prison warden, Clancy (Russell Crowe), offers Murphy and a small crew of convicts a chance at early freedom if they successfully smuggle gold through dangerous, uncharted wilderness. The journey quickly turns treacherous as the men face natural obstacles and the growing threat of betrayal from within their own ranks.
Key Details
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Director: Padraic McKinley (previously known for his work as an editor on projects like The Good Lord Bird).
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Cast: Ethan Hawke (Samuel Murphy), Russell Crowe (Warden Clancy), Julia Jones (Anna), Austin Amelio (Rankin), Avi Nash (Singh), and Sam Hazeldine (Amis).
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Production: The film was produced by Fields Entertainment, Under The Influence, and augenschein Filmproduktion. Principal photography took place in Viechtach, Germany, during the summer of 2025.
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Release Information:
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World Premiere: January 26, 2026, at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Theatrical Release: Scheduled for September 18, 2026, in the United States, distributed by Vertical.
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The screenplay was written by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman, and Matthew Booi, based on an original story by Matthew Booi and Leo Scherman. Critics have noted that the film draws inspiration from 1970s adventure and action cinema, specifically citing influences like Jeremiah Johnson and Sorcerer.