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Coward

Play trailer Poster for Coward Drama History War Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 31 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
As the First World War drags on, Pierre, a soldier newly arrived at the front, is eager to prove himself. Behind the lines, he meets Francis, who decides to lift the spirits of his comrades by putting together a theatre show. While the violence continues, both men try to find ways to escape the brutality of war, even if only for a moment.

Cast & Crew

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Lukas Dhont

Director

Emmanuel Macchia

Pierre

Valentin Campagne

Francis

Lukas Dhont

Screenwriter

Angelo Tijssens

Screenwriter

Michiel Dhont

Producer

Critics Reviews

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Philip De Semlyen Time Out May 28, 2026
3/5
With LGBTQ+ stories so rare in the filmography of World War I, it’s a rare and welcome perspective -- as well as another showcase for a gifted young filmmaker. Go to Full Review Justin Chang The New Yorker May 28, 2026
Dhont expertly handles the tension between the homosocial and the homoerotic, and if his honey-toned visual style sometimes leans toward fussiness, it’s counterbalanced by the brutality of the combat sequences. Go to Full Review David Rooney The Hollywood Reporter May 26, 2026
What really sinks Coward is the self-conscious grandiosity with which the director strains for lofty emotional peaks in moments that instead come off as hollow and artificial. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (Podcast) 1 day ago
4/5
While the two leads lack physical chemistry, Dhont's screenplay is filled with intriguing questions about cowardice, respectability, sacrifice, and performance Go to Full Review Alise Chaffins MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack) 2 days ago
4/5
Coward is...a beautifully sensual film, filled with longing. Go to Full Review Pat Mullen That Shelf 6 days ago
Coward defines itself by its courage. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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Coward

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Movie Info

Synopsis As the First World War drags on, Pierre, a soldier newly arrived at the front, is eager to prove himself. Behind the lines, he meets Francis, who decides to lift the spirits of his comrades by putting together a theatre show. While the violence continues, both men try to find ways to escape the brutality of war, even if only for a moment.
Director
Lukas Dhont
Producer
Michiel Dhont, Juliette Schrameck
Screenwriter
Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens
Distributor
MUBI
Production Co
The Reunion, Lumen, Topkapi Films, Versus Production
Genre
Drama, History, War
Original Language
French
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 2026, Limited
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