Joel Coen's ‘Jack of Spades’ Heads to Netflix for Fall 2027, Co-Written With Ethan Coen!

Well, there goes Cannes.

Back in August, I said I'd be very surprised if Joel Coen's "Jack of Spades" didn't show up on the Croisette next May. Scratch that. Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to the film and plans a fall 2027 theatrical release ahead of its streaming debut. And given that Netflix still hasn't made peace with Cannes' French theatrical rules, the more likely path now is Venice. The streamer clearly sees this one as a major awards play for next season.

As I first reported in September, "Jack of Spades" is based on Frances Frederica Montrésor's 1901 novel "The Alien: A Story of Middle Age," and Patsy Ferran — not Josh O'Connor — is the lead.

Ferran plays Esther Mordaunt, a woman in her thirties at the center of the story, and I was told at the time that she was absolutely dynamite in the role. Netflix's announcement now puts the 36-year-old Olivier winner at the top of the cast list, alongside O'Connor, Damian Lewis, Lesley Manville and — from what I'm told — Frances McDormand in a small role.

Netflix is calling it a "sinister gothic mystery of intrigue and betrayal set in the Scottish Highlands."

One thing that's changed.. when I wrote about this in the summer, I called it "more of an original effort" from Joel. That's clearly not the case. The screenplay is credited to Joel and Ethan Coen! Eleanor Catton wrote the original draft, alongside Conor McPherson. So yes, Ethan has a writing credit here, which makes this a de facto Coen brothers reunion.

Behind the camera, Coen has his usual murderers' row of talent: Bruno Delbonnel is the DP, and Carter Burwell, who has scored nearly every Coen film since "Blood Simple," handles the music.

A few months ago, Variety reported that the first cut of "Jack of Spades" ran close to 150 minutes, and a tighter second cut reportedly played even better for buyers. Focus was definitely interested, but I gather Netflix had seen enough and did its usual overspending to snatch this one up. A Joel Coen gothic ghost story, shot by Delbonnel, co-written with Ethan, and with that talented cast? Inject this straight into my veins.