When Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal team up on a film, you know it's going to generate buzz – so it's no surprise that the Irish duo's first project together, Foe, is capturing attention.
The fan-favourites will star as a married couple in the movie adaption of Iain Reid's foreboding 2018 novel, directed by Garth Davis (of Lion fame). Set in the near-future, the film centres around Henrietta (Saoirse) and Junior (Paul), whose quiet rural life is disturbed by an unexpected visitor – who presents them with a surprising opportunity.
There's not long to wait until the release of Foe, which could easily become autumn 2023's most talked-about movie (so long, Barbie) – so without further ado, here's everything you need to know about the psychological-meets-sci-fi thriller…
A true family affair.
Foe plot explained
Just like the book, Foe follows married couple Henrietta ('Hen') and Junior, who are living an isolated existence on a farm in rural America, around 40 years in the future. Their low-key life takes a turn when a mystery man, Terrance, arrives at their door – telling Junior he has been selected to leave home for a number of years as part of a government space programme, to help facilitate human life away from Earth. But Hen won't be left alone – instead, she'll be kept company by someone very familiar. Cryptic.
The film explores relationships, environmental crisis and modern technology in a truly thought-provoking way. Director Garth Davis told Vanity Fair: “What I find really powerful about the movie is it asks us to be awake and to be alive. A lot of the problems we face in relationships and with the environment and with all sorts of things coming our way is that we’re asleep at the wheel. This movie is really saying, ‘Wake up. Your life is precious, and if you take it for granted, you’re going to lose it.’”
Where is Foe set?
The story takes place in rural America, though Australian director Garth settled on his homeland for filming.
After coming across a desolate area of land in Wangaratta, north east of Victoria, the set was built from there – based on a farmhouse in Ontario, Canada. The couple's home, and surrounding landscape, is particularly important to the film.
“Their marriage is decaying with the house in many ways — the house for me is almost like a house of ghosts,” Davis said. “It’s been a patriarchal, generational, rural symbol, with the multiple generations moving through there. The environment was constantly reinforcing the themes of what Henrietta was fighting against, wanting to push up against, and escape from.”
“Bless Zendaya.”
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Foe cast
As aforementioned, the lead roles are portrayed by Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan – of Normal People and Little Women fame (though their acclaimed filmography goes on, of course). Both Irish actors will put on their best American accents in the film.
Saoirse has spoken of how close the pair became after working together, telling Document Journal: “We did a film together at the beginning of last year in Australia, called Foe. We knew each other sort of in passing before, just through friends. We’ve become very, very close since making the film. We’re genuine friends; we’re not Hollywood friends.”
Rounding out the principal cast is English actor Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad), who plays the couple's mystery visitor Terrance – described as “magnetic” by Vanity Fair.
Foe trailer
Sadly, there's not yet been any teasers released for the upcoming film, but we'll update you as soon as there is.
Foe release date
The movie is set to release on October 6 2023, according to reports, though a UK-specific date hasn't been confirmed yet. Either way, there's not long to wait!
