The highly anticipated film adaptation of Max Porter’s celebrated novella, The Thing with Feathers, is set to captivate UK audiences with its wide theatrical release on November 21, 2025. Having already garnered significant praise following its acclaimed premieres at both the Sundance and Berlin film festivals earlier this year, the movie offers a profoundly artistic and raw exploration of loss. The central story features Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch in a powerful role as a father grappling with the immediate, chaotic fallout of his wife’s sudden death, while simultaneously caring for his two young sons.
The film distinguishes itself by personifying the family’s overwhelming grief as an “unhinged and unwanted house guest”—a massive, monstrous, yet strangely comforting crow. This surreal entity is brought to life through the voice of veteran British actor David Thewlis. Critics have likened the film’s tone to a blend of intense social drama and psychological horror, drawing comparisons to works like The Babadook. Early reviews have especially highlighted Cumberbatch’s “vulnerable” and “excellent” performance in his nuanced portrayal of male grief and the challenging path toward emotional recovery and healing.
Distributed in the UK by Vue Cinemas, the movie promises a unique cinematic experience that weaves together fantasy and dramatic realism to examine the depths of human resilience in the face of profound loss. Special event screenings are scheduled to take place prior to the official premiere. Following its UK debut, US audiences will have the chance to see the film in a limited theatrical release just one week later, on November 28, 2025.
Cumberbatch’s Surreal Grief Drama Takes Flight in UK Cinemas
