Netflix buys Joel Coen's gothic mystery 'Jack of Spades' for 2027
Netflix acquired worldwide rights to "Jack of Spades," a Scottish Highlands mystery directed by Joel Coen and co-written with his brother Ethan. It stars Patsy Ferran, Josh O'Connor, Damian Lewis and Lesley Manville and opens in theaters in fall 2027 before streaming.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to "Jack of Spades," a gothic mystery from director Joel Coen, and plans a fall 2027 release in theaters before it streams, Variety and Deadline reported Monday.
The story: The film is adapted from Frances Frederica Montrésor's 1901 novel "The Alien: A Story of Middle Age." Variety says it is set in 1880s Scotland and described as a sinister tale of intrigue and betrayal in the Highlands. Patsy Ferran, Josh O'Connor, Damian Lewis and Lesley Manville star.
Behind the camera: Joel Coen reunites with cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel ("Inside Llewyn Davis") and composer Carter Burwell, who has worked with the brothers since their 1984 debut, "Blood Simple." Producers are Robert Graf, Frances McDormand and Joel Coen, Steven Rales for Indian Paintbrush, and Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin for Blueprint Pictures.
Why it matters
It is Joel and Ethan Coen's first project together behind the scenes in some time, after each made his own films. Joel directed Apple's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and Ethan directed the crime comedies "Drive-Away Dolls" and "Honey Don't!," Deadline notes. Eleanor Catton and Conor McPherson share the writing credit.
More context
Timeline, per Variety: The film wrapped in Glasgow late last year and was screened for several studios. Variety first reported the sale process in August, when sources said the first cut ran nearly 150 minutes and a tighter second version had "hit the sweet spot." Monday's deal ends that process.
How the outlets framed it: Deadline led with Netflix being "back in business" with the Coens, noting that "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" (2018) earned three Oscar nominations on the service. Variety, writing as an awards outlet, said the theatrical release positions the film as a likely awards contender for Netflix in 2028 and that a film festival debut is "almost certain."
What is still unknown: an exact release date, how long the film will play in theaters before streaming, and its running time.
Bottom line: The Coen brothers are writing together again, and Netflix is betting on a theatrical run to build awards buzz.
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References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Sourcing: Deadline and Variety, both published Nov. 2, 2026. Details on early cuts come from unnamed sources cited by Variety. The awards-season outlook is Variety's analysis, not a Netflix announcement. No plot details beyond the outlets' descriptions. The hero photo shows Joel Coen at the Cinémathèque française in Paris in March 2023.
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