Joel Coen’s ‘Jack of Spades’ Screens for Studios, 150-Minute Cut Showed “Immense Promise”

Joel Coen’s “Jack of Spades” wrapped production in Glasgow around November 2025. Focus Features, who I last heard were circling the project, have not confirmed their involvement, and the film failed to show up at Cannes.

A few months ago, I reported that the film had been punted to 2027, and that’s despite one of the film’s stars, Lesley Manville, telling Deadline that the film would be released later this year.

Now, here’s Variety catching up, reporting that the film is set for 2027 and has since screened for a handful of studios. I would be very surprised if this one doesn’t show up at Cannes next year.

The first cut was apparently close to 150 minutes, and sources say the film showed “immense promise.” A tighter second cut has screened in recent weeks and, from what the outlet is hearing, seems to have been met with an even better reception. An acquisition announcement should be coming sooner rather than later.

The film stars Josh O’Connor, Frances McDormand, Damian Lewis, and Lesley Manville, but no plot details have been revealed. All we know is that it’s a “gothic mystery” set in 1880s Scotland.

Bruno Delbonnel serves as cinematographer on “Jack of Spades.” If you want a dreamlike atmosphere, then hire Delbonnel, whose work on the Coens’ “Inside Llewyn Davis” was incredible. I can also confirm that Coen regular Carter Burwell composed the score for this one — he’s been responsible for the music on almost every Coen brothers film.

It’ll be interesting to see how Joel’s solo sophomore effort turns out. “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” released in 2021, was a straightforward Shakespeare adaptation. “Jack of Spades” is more of an original effort from Joel, who also wrote the screenplay. The talent is there for something special. And that’s in stark contrast to what Ethan Coen has been doing of late, indulging in a lesbian-themed B-movie trilogy with partner Tricia Cooke (“Drive-Away Dolls,” “Honey Don’t”). It’s becoming clearer by the day which Coen brother is pursuing the more ambitious work.

The Coens had always worked together. In fact, prior to “Macbeth” — and Ethan’s recent collaborations with Cooke — they hadn’t missed a collaboration since their 1984 debut, “Blood Simple.” They say a creative break was needed, and the result is that their last film together remains 2018’s “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” The good news is that they recently hinted at a reunion: a horror film they co-wrote that is ready to shoot once their respective solo projects are in the can.