Ethan Hawke stars as Samuel Murphy in the historical drama "The Weight," which opened in movie theaters nationwide on Friday, September 18, 2026. The film, directed by Padraic McKinley and written by Matthew Booi and Shelby Gaines, first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Set in 1933 Oregon, "The Weight" tells the story of Samuel Murphy, who is separated from his daughter when he is sent to a labor camp. Offered an early release in exchange for smuggling gold through the wilderness, Murphy accepts in hopes of seeing his daughter again.
The cast also includes Russell Crowe, Julia Jones, Austin Amelio, Avi Nash, Lucas Lynggaad Tonnesen, George Burgess, Cameron Brady, Avy Berry, Alec Newman, and Sam Hazeldine. Reviews have highlighted Hawke's performance, with some calling it one of his best.
While "The Weight" is currently only available in theaters, its digital release is anticipated. Based on the release pattern of other films from its distributor, Vertical, it might become available for purchase or rent on digital platforms around late October 2026, approximately one month after its theatrical debut. However, this date is speculative, and the studio has not yet announced an official digital release date. The film is not a Netflix original and is not currently streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. It is expected to be available to buy or rent on Prime Video eventually, but not for free streaming in the near future.