The Weight (2026): Cast, Release Date, Story, Reviews & Where to Watch
The Weight (2026) is now arriving in theaters, bringing Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe together for a dark historical thriller set in Depression-era Oregon. Directed by Padraic McKinley, the film follows a recently imprisoned father who is offered a dangerous path to freedom: transport a fortune in gold through the wilderness with a group of fellow prisoners.
The Weight is a 2026 historical thriller directed by Padraic McKinley and starring Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe, Julia Jones and Austin Amelio. The movie opened in select U.S. theaters on September 18, 2026, and is currently a theatrical release rather than a streaming title.
What Is The Weight Movie About?
Set in 1933 Oregon during the Great Depression, The Weight centers on Samuel Murphy, played by Ethan Hawke. Murphy is a widowed father who is separated from his daughter after being sent to prison.
His situation changes when prison warden Clancy, played by Russell Crowe, gives him a dangerous proposition. Murphy and several other prisoners can earn their freedom by helping transport a huge amount of gold through difficult and dangerous wilderness.
What begins as a possible route back to his daughter quickly becomes a fight for survival as the group faces the harsh landscape, violence, mistrust and the enormous value of the gold they are carrying.
The Weight Cast: Who Stars in the Movie?
The Weight features Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe at the center of its cast, supported by Julia Jones, Austin Amelio and several other performers.
Samuel Murphy
Warden Clancy
Anna
Rankin
Singh
Olson
Amis
Penny Murphy
Big
Letender
Taggert
Is Ethan Hawke in The Weight?
Yes. Ethan Hawke leads The Weight as Samuel Murphy, a father and recently incarcerated man whose desire to return to his daughter becomes the emotional center of the story.
Hawke's performance has been a major talking point around the film since its festival run. Current reviews have particularly highlighted his portrayal of Murphy, with the Associated Press describing the performance as a strong part of the movie's appeal.
Is Russell Crowe in The Weight?
Yes. Russell Crowe plays Warden Clancy, the prison official who offers Murphy and the other prisoners a deal involving the transportation of gold.
Crowe's character represents one of the major forces pushing Murphy into the dangerous mission, creating a tense relationship between the imprisoned protagonist and the man controlling his possible freedom.
The Weight Release Date
The Weight is releasing in U.S. theaters on September 18, 2026. The theatrical release comes after the film's 2026 festival premieres, including its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Vertical Entertainment acquired North American distribution rights and is handling the movie's theatrical release.
The Weight Showtimes: Where Can You Watch It?
The Weight is currently playing in theaters rather than streaming online. Moviegoers should check their local cinema listings for available showtimes because theatrical availability can vary by location.
Searches for "The Weight showtimes" have been rising, so viewers looking for the movie should check major theater chains and local cinema listings using their city or ZIP/postal code.
Where to Watch The Weight
As of its September 18, 2026 theatrical release, The Weight is available on the big screen in theaters. It is not currently available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or another major subscription streaming service.
No official digital rental or purchase release date has been announced at this time. The safest option for viewers who want to watch The Weight now is to find a local theatrical screening.
The Weight Reviews: What Are Critics Saying?
The Weight has received a mixed-to-positive critical response, with particular attention going to Ethan Hawke's lead performance, the film's Depression-era atmosphere and its survival-thriller setup.
The Associated Press praised the movie's direction, pace and Hawke's performance, while noting its combination of emotional stakes and action. Other reviews have been more divided, particularly over the film's slower middle section and character development.
That makes The Weight review searches especially relevant now that the movie has entered its theatrical release. Viewers may find a noticeable difference between reviews that emphasize the film's atmosphere and performances and those that focus more heavily on its pacing.
The Weight Rotten Tomatoes Score
Rotten Tomatoes scores can change as additional critic and audience reviews are added, particularly around a theatrical opening. For that reason, the current score should be checked directly on Rotten Tomatoes rather than treated as a permanent rating.
The broader critical conversation around The Weight has focused heavily on Ethan Hawke's performance, the film's wilderness setting and its old-school thriller approach.
The Weight Trailer
The official trailer introduces Samuel Murphy's prison situation and the dangerous gold-smuggling mission that becomes his possible route to freedom. It also highlights the central dynamic between Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe.
The trailer positions The Weight as a gritty historical thriller built around gold, survival, betrayal and a desperate attempt to reunite a father with his daughter.
Who Directed The Weight?
Padraic McKinley directed The Weight. The screenplay was written by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman and Matthew Booi, from a story by Leo Scherman and Matthew Booi.
The movie uses the American Depression as the backdrop for a survival story that combines prison drama, gold smuggling and wilderness thriller elements.
Is The Weight Based on a True Story?
The Weight is an original historical drama rather than a direct retelling of a specific true story. Its setting draws on the realities of Depression-era America, while the central characters and gold-smuggling mission are part of the film's fictional narrative.
Why Is The Weight Trending?
Interest in The Weight has surged around its theatrical release, with searches covering several different aspects of the movie. Queries for the The Weight movie, its 2026 release, Ethan Hawke, showtimes, where to watch, reviews and Rotten Tomatoes are all contributing to the search interest.
The combination of Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, the film's theatrical arrival and its unusual Depression-era gold-heist premise are helping the movie stand out among this week's new releases.
The Weight Quick Facts
- Title: The Weight
- Year: 2026
- Director: Padraic McKinley
- Lead: Ethan Hawke as Samuel Murphy
- Also Starring: Russell Crowe, Julia Jones, Austin Amelio
- Genre: Historical Drama / Thriller
- Setting: Oregon, 1933
- Release Date: September 18, 2026
- Distribution: Vertical Entertainment
- Current Availability: Theaters
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Weight released?
The Weight opened in U.S. theaters on September 18, 2026.
Who stars in The Weight?
Ethan Hawke leads the cast as Samuel Murphy, alongside Russell Crowe, Julia Jones, Austin Amelio, Avi Nash and Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen.
Is The Weight on Netflix?
No. The Weight is currently a theatrical release and is not available on Netflix.
Where can I watch The Weight?
The Weight is currently playing in theaters. Check local cinema listings for showtimes in your area.
What is The Weight about?
The film follows Samuel Murphy, a prisoner in 1930s Oregon who is offered freedom if he helps transport gold through dangerous wilderness with a group of fellow prisoners.
Who plays Ethan Hawke's character in The Weight?
Ethan Hawke plays Samuel Murphy, the film's central character.
Is The Weight a horror movie?
No. The Weight is primarily a historical drama and thriller with survival and heist elements.