The first trailer for The Weight has been released, giving fans a look at the upcoming historical drama starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe. The movie is directed by Padraic McKinley and is set during the Great Depression in Oregon. It will be released in U.S. theaters on September 18, 2026.
Ethan Hawke plays Samuel Murphy, a widowed father who is sent to a brutal labor camp. Russell Crowe plays Warden Clancy, who offers Murphy a chance at freedom. The catch is that he must help smuggle gold through the dangerous Oregon wilderness. The cast also includes Julia Jones and Austin Amelio.
Early reactions from critics have been mostly positive. Variety praised Ethan Hawke’s performance and described the movie as a serious survival drama. The Guardian said Hawke gives the film emotional weight, although it felt the story does not always reach its full potential. On Rotten Tomatoes, many early reviews have been positive, with critics praising the performances, cinematography, and old-fashioned adventure style.
The new trailer focuses on the harsh wilderness, dangerous missions, and the tense relationship between Hawke’s prisoner and Crowe’s ruthless warden. It promises a story about survival, betrayal, and a father’s fight to get back to his daughter.
