Russell Crowe & Ethan Hawke’s Critically Acclaimed Western Movie Is in Theaters Today

Russell Crowe and Ethan Hawke‘s critically lauded Western has been released in theatres today, September 18. The historical drama film The Weight is directed by Padraic McKinley and has been theatrically released by Vertical in the United States. It had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 26.

The film has generated major buzz since its Sundance Film Festival debut, boasting an impressive 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 90 critics’ reviews. It is being lauded by general audiences as well, holding a 76% approval score on the Popcornmeter based on 50+ verified ratings.

Reviewers are praising the R-rated film for its gritty, stripped-down approach. The Weight is even drawing comparisons to classic 1970s adventure cinema and modern survival epics like The Revenant. Crowe and Hawke’s performances are also being widely praised by both critics and general audiences.

Inside The Weight’s story and star-studded cast

The Weight is set in Oregon in the year 1933. It features the story of Samuel Murphy, who is torn from his daughter and sent to a brutal work camp. Warden Clancy tempts him with early release and hopes of reunion with his daughter if he smuggles gold through the deadly wilderness. However, betrayal festers within the crew, with Samuel ultimately questioning how far he is willing to go to see his child again.

The movie features a star-studded cast alongside Crowe as Warden and Hawke as Samuel. The duo team up with Julia Jones as Anna, an Indigenous runaway who accompanies Samuel and the other prisoners; Austin Amelio as Rankin, a prisoner; Avi Nash as Singh, an immigrant prisoner; and Sam Hazeldine as Amis, Clancy’s lackey.

Other cast members also include Lucas Lynggaad Tonnesen as Olson, a young Scandinavian prisoner; George Burgess as Letender; Cameron Brady as The Man; Avy Berry as Penny Murphy, Samuel’s daughter; Alec Newman as Taggert; Jeffrey Lee Hallman as Big; Dylan Page as Mrs. Akers; Peter Lewys Preston as Ed Akers; and Caspar Steinbeck as Joe Akers.

You can catch The Weight in theatres now.

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