Joe Alwyn joins Rachel Weisz and Matthew Macfadyen in dark new thriller

Joe Alwyn is set to star alongside Rachel Weisz and Matthew Macfadyen in ‘Seance on a Wet Afternoon’

Joe Alwyn is the latest actor to line up a high-profile role, joining Rachel Weisz and Matthew Macfadyen in the upcoming drama Seance on a Wet Afternoon. The movie, adapted from Mark McShane’s 1961 novel, is being directed by Tomas Alfredson and scripted by Emmy winner Jack Thorne, who co-created the hit series Adolescence.

The story follows Myra, a self-proclaimed medium, who manipulates her husband Billy into kidnapping a wealthy family’s child to prove her psychic abilities. As her plan spirals out of control, the couple finds themselves in grave danger, blending psychological tension with dark moral dilemmas.

Filming is already underway in the U.K., with a team of acclaimed creatives on board, including cinematographer Marcell Rév, BAFTA-winning production designer Jacqueline Abrahams, and Oscar-nominated hair and makeup designer Daniel Phillips. Costume design is handled by Sarah Blenkinsop, while casting is led by Jina Jay.

Producers include Robyn Slovo, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe and Polly Stokes, with Film4 and Fremantle financing the project. FilmNation Entertainment is managing international sales, while UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance handle domestic distribution.

Alwyn, known for roles in Hamnet and The Brutalist, continues to build an impressive slate of projects alongside established talent. The casting of Weisz and Macfadyen, both acclaimed for their stage and screen work, adds a layer of prestige, signalling the film could be a contender for awards conversation once it premieres.

With the combination of a dark, twist-heavy narrative, a high-caliber cast, and a celebrated director at the helm, Seance on a Wet Afternoon is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most closely watched drama releases.