Following its World Premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Vertical has acquired North American rights to The Weight, the critically-acclaimed directorial debut of Padraic McKinley. The film stars five-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (Nuremberg), Julia Jones (Rez Ball), Austin Amelio (Fear the Walking Dead), Avi Nash (Silo), Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen (Borgen), Avy Berry (A Quiet Place: Day One), and Sam Hazeldine (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power). Vertical is slating the film for a wide theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
When Samuel (Hawke) is torn from his daughter and sent to a brutal prison, Warden Clancy (Crowe) offers a high-stakes proposition: smuggle gold out of a remote mine with a dangerous crew of prisoners and he’ll win his freedom. But as the group journeys into the unforgiving wilderness, the real threat isn’t the terrain – it’s the betrayal and violence festering within their ranks. Surrounded by greed, suspicion, and danger, Samuel must risk everything to reunite with his child.
The film’s screenplay was written by Matthew Chapman (Runaway Jury) and Shelby Gaines (Wildcat), with story by Matthew Booi (Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan) and Leo Scherman (Trench 11). The Weight had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, followed by a presentation at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
“The Weight is the result of a truly special collaboration between an exceptional cast, led by Ethan and Russell, and my partners at Fields Entertainment, augenschein, Under the Influence, and Construction Films,” said McKinley. “Seeing the film connect with and energize audiences at Sundance and Berlinale has been incredibly rewarding, and has only amplified my excitement to partner up with Vertical to bring this kind of big-screen, throwback experience to theaters in September.”
“Anchored by powerhouse performances from Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, The Weight is a smart, character-driven thriller that captures the tension and sophistication of the great 1970s classics while feeling sharp and contemporary for today’s audiences,” added Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey. “We’re thrilled to once again work with augenschein Filmproduktion and to partner with Padraic, Simon, Ethan, Nathan, and Ryan to bring this elevated story to the big screen.”
The film was produced by Simon Fields, Nathan Fields, Ryan Hawke, alongside Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo for augenschein Filmproduktion and executive produced by Frédéric Fiore, Céline Dornier, Andreas Rübo, Klaus Dohle, Ralf Berchtold, and Peter Block. Co-producers are Veronica Ferres and Leo Scherman. McKinley co-edited the film with Matthew Woolley (The Good Lord Bird). Additional below-the-line talent includes director of photography Matteo Cocco (Hidden Away), costume designer Esther Walz (Other People’s Money), and production designer Cora Pratz (Islands), with casting by Cassandra Han (Samia) and music by Latham Gaines and Shelby Gaines (Wildcat).
CAA Media Finance and WME Independent arranged the film’s financing and co-brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers with Jarowey on behalf of Vertical.
