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Onwards and Sideways

Play trailer Onwards and Sideways 2026 1h 54m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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From Academy Award-nominated Director John Madden and starring BAFTA Award-winner Rhys Ifans and Academy Award-nominee Laura Linney. Tony Evans is deputy head of a primary school. Emma Dretzin is a musician and composer, and single mother of two daughters. Neither knows the other. Until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives. On the same morning, these two are simultaneously confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. This film is the story of Tony and Emma -- a friendship which unfolds unexpectedly. A story of humor and emotion, of challenge and bravado, of music and dance -- transcending the assumptions of a little understood condition, and triumphing over the odds to find joy, release and love.

Critics Reviews

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Benjamin Lee Guardian 20 hrs ago
3/5
Providing hope without an empty promise is no easy feat, but Mayhew-Archer finds his way there and offers his hand for us to follow. Go to Full Review Dan Bayer Next Best Picture 1 day ago
7/10
"Onwards and Sideways" may just be the finest exploration of Parkinson's disease on film yet, thanks in no small part to the film’s winning humor and performances from Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney. Go to Full Review J. Don Birnam AwardsWatch 1 day ago
B+
By the time Onwards and Sideways reaches its carefully signposted stopping point, it has earned the sentiment of laughter and acceptance it openly asks for. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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John Madden

Director

Rhys Ifans

Actor

Laura Linney

Actor

Monica Dolan

Actor

Rory Kinnear

Actor

Paul Mayhew-Archer

Screenwriter
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Onwards and Sideways

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Movie Info

Synopsis From Academy Award-nominated Director John Madden and starring BAFTA Award-winner Rhys Ifans and Academy Award-nominee Laura Linney. Tony Evans is deputy head of a primary school. Emma Dretzin is a musician and composer, and single mother of two daughters. Neither knows the other. Until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives. On the same morning, these two are simultaneously confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. This film is the story of Tony and Emma -- a friendship which unfolds unexpectedly. A story of humor and emotion, of challenge and bravado, of music and dance -- transcending the assumptions of a little understood condition, and triumphing over the odds to find joy, release and love.
Director
John Madden
Producer
Hilary Bevan Jones, John Gore
Screenwriter
Paul Mayhew-Archer
Production Co
Hilltop Screen , John Gore Studios, British Broadcasting Corporation
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 54m
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