The Plague (2025 film)

Last updated
The Plague
The Plague (2025 film)-69088.jpg
Cast and crew of the film at the Cannes Film Festival 2025
Directed byCharlie Polinger
Written byCharlie Polinger
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySteven Breckon
Edited by
  • Simon Njoo ASE
  • Henry Hayes
Music by Johan Lenox
Production
companies
Distributed by Independent Film Company
Release dates
  • May 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)(Cannes)
  • December 24, 2025 (2025-12-24)(United States)
Running time
95 minutes [1]
Countries
  • United States
  • Romania
LanguageEnglish

The Plague is a 2025 psychological drama [2] -thriller film [3] [4] written and directed by Charlie Polinger, in his directorial debut. It stars Joel Edgerton, Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Lucas Adler and Kenny Rasmussen.

Contents

The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025 and is scheduled to be given a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 24, 2025, expanding nationwide on January 2, 2026.

Premise

A socially anxious 12-year-old boy is pulled into a cruel tradition at an all-boys water polo camp. [5]

Cast

Production

Initially, when Joel Edgerton received the script by Charlie Polinger, he wanted to direct the film, however Polinger wanted to, with Edgerton instead offering to help getting it made. [6]

Release

It had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025, in the Un Certain Regard section. [7] In August 2025, Independent Film Company acquired North American distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a theatrical release in the United States on December 24, 2025, before expanding nationwide on January 2, 2026. [8]

Reception

Critical reception

The film was met with positive reviews and a warm reception at Cannes. [9] It received an eleven minute standing ovation and was highlighted as a favorite by the pop star Charli XCX. [10]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 100% of 15 critics' reviews are positive. [11]

Accolades

Award / FestivalDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Cannes Film Festival 24 May 2025 Un Certain Regard Award Charlie PolingerNominated [12]
Camera d'Or Nominated
Deauville American Film Festival 13 September 2025Grand PrizeThe PlagueWon [13]
Critics PrizeWon
Sitges Film Festival 19 October 2025Best Feature FilmPending [14]

References

  1. ↑ "The Plague". Cannes Film Festival . 16 May 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ "'The Plague' Review: Joel Edgerton & Cast of Young Newcomers Turn Summer Boys Camp into a Psychological Nightmare – Cannes Film Festival". 16 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "Independent Company Buys Joel Edgerton Psychological Thriller (EXCLUSIVE)".
  4. ↑ "'The Plague' Review: Joel Edgerton in a Thrilling Drama That Captures the Terror of Adolescent Masculinity". The Hollywood Reporter . 16 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Barraclough, Leo (April 22, 2025). "Charlie Polinger's 'The Plague,' Starring Joel Edgerton, Boarded by AGC, Cinetic and UTA Independent Film Group Ahead of Cannes Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (May 15, 2025). "Cannes Premiere 'The Plague' Twists the Pock-Marked Perils of Adolescence Into Body Horror — with Joel Edgerton". IndieWire . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ Ntim, Zac (April 10, 2025). "Cannes Competition: Aster, Trier, Dardennes, Reichardt, Ducournau & Wes Anderson Among Lineup — Full List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ Lang, Brent (August 7, 2025). "Independent Film Company Buys Joel Edgerton Psychological Thriller 'The Plague'". Variety . Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  9. ↑ "The Plague (2025) | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  10. ↑ Gardner, Chris (May 16, 2025). "Charli XCX Extends Brat Summer in Cannes With Magnum Party and Palais Premiere of 'The Plague'". The Hollywood Reporter .
  11. ↑ "The Plague". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  12. ↑ "The films of the Official Selection 2025". Festival de Cannes. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  13. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (2025-09-13). "Deauville Festival 2025 Winners: Joel Edgerton Thriller 'The Plague,' Plan B-Produced 'Olmo' and Kristen Stewart's 'Chronology of Water' Take Top Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  14. ↑ "We Complete the 2025 line-up: Guillermo del Toro, Yorgos Lanthimos, Park Chan-wook, Carmen Maura, and Other Big Names in Contemporary Fantastic Genre". Sitges Film Festival . Archived from the original on 2025-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
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