Ethan Hawke Smuggles Gold For Russell Crowe In ‘The Weight’ Trailer

“It’s the kind of atmospheric, exciting period drama we don’t really get much anymore,” raves Vulture.

The Weight, a period thriller helmed by Padraic McKinely in his directorial debut, is bringing Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe together on-screen for the first time in the actors’ decades-long careers.

Set in Oregon during the Great Depression, the story follows Samuel Murphy (Hawke), a widower whose daughter is set to go up for adoption while he’s serving a sentence in a brutal work camp. Warden Clancy (Crowe) tempts him with early release if he and a crew smuggle gold through deadly wilderness.

The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, and had its international premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in February. Strong early reviews have yielded a 94 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes—here’s what a few critics are saying:

Vulture: “It’s the kind of atmospheric, exciting period drama we don’t really get much anymore.”

The Wrap: “Throughout it all, Hawke is mesmerizing. The action scenes are tense and well-executed, though it’s the way he grounds it that makes you feel every setback.”

The Guardian: “It’s carried through by an all-in Hawke who is really put through the wringer, arguably his most physically gruelling role to date, a muscular and entirely persuasive performance that continues his winning streak.”

Ahead of its wide theatrical release on September 18, watch the trailer below: