Almost exactly one year after shooting started in Bavaria, the trailer for the US (and likely UK) release of The Weight is here! š
The film had its world premiere at Sundance this year. Quite favorably received. The international premiere followed shortly after at the Berlinale, with a similar reception. People loved watching this, which I can vouch for, because I was at a screening there, among the applauding audience.
If you think thatās fast, going from first day of shooting to trailer release in a year, thatās because it is. Director Padraic McKinley pushed the edit and postproduction through within weeks, after having had his debut project in the works for about five years, I think.
When The Weight finally got made, it happened with German film fund money and in Germany, which turned out to be the most fortunate situation for everyone involved.
By all accounts, the month of shooting in the Bavarian Forest was one big socializing event for cast and crew, most of whom remember it fondly, if not as life-changing.
After following its making on social media last year, Iām kind of giddy The Weight is here now. Glad itās this film that finally and fully convinced me that Ethan Hawke is one of the great contemporary American artists. This is a fantastic role for him. Russell Crowe, the other of the two actors whose names were granted prominence on the poster, has far less screen time than Hawke but manages to be charismatic af and elevate the film.
The vintage cars are the secret stars of the film, you can tell everyone driving these things is having a blast. The inventive score, another. The cinematography by Matteo Cocco as well. The Bavarian Forest does its mythical foresty thing. Costumes by Esther Walz give off Leviās-commercial vibes, all workwear-denim chic, only muddy and eventually bloody. Thatās several secret stars, then.
As for the actors, Austin Amelio, Lucas Lynggaard TĆønnesen and Julia Jones stand out. Avi Nash, Alec Newman, Avy Berry and Sam Hazeldine deliver. As does the rest. Itās rather a sausage fest. Julia shines brightly though.
The only thing missing is more time. Thereās a lot of water in this film, giving the story a distinct psychological tinge, veering at times into the surreal. Iād have loved an even deeper dive into the themes it explores.
In the words of Austin Amelio: āWatch The Weight, itās good!ā
Release dates: 18 Sep 2026 (USA), 5 Nov 2026 (Germany)
