AceShowbiz - The acclaimed duo of Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are officially teaming up again for a fresh cinematic venture. Following their lauded performances in Hamnet, which captivated audiences and critics alike in 2025, the two actors will star in a new romantic crime drama entitled Hold on to Your Angels.

This upcoming project is set to be directed by Benh Zeitlin, best known for his work on Beasts of the Southern Wild. The film is being produced by Plan B, alongside Alex Coco of Anora, and is currently seeking distribution deals at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival. Principal photography is slated to begin in February 2027.

The story unfolds in the atmospheric landscape of Southern Louisiana, promising a narrative embedded in the unique culture and mood of the bayou. The official synopsis reveals that the film "follows a hell-bound outlaw" played by Mescal and "a ferocious shepherd of lost souls" portrayed by Buckley. Their characters fall into a "catastrophic love" as their decaying bayou environment drags them into turmoil.

The reunion of Buckley and Mescal on screen is highly anticipated, considering their dynamic chemistry in Hamnet. That film, which explored the emotional aftermath of a family tragedy tied to William Shakespeare’s inspiration for Hamlet, earned Buckley an Academy Award for her performance as Agnes. Despite Mescal not receiving an Oscar nomination, the pair's compelling work was widely praised and established them as a formidable on-screen partnership.

Interestingly, this is not the first collaboration between Buckley and Mescal. They previously appeared together in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, further highlighting their shared history in critically acclaimed independent films.

Following her Oscar win for Hamnet, Buckley also starred with Christian Bale in The Bride!, a daring reimagining of the Frankenstein story with a Bonnie & Clyde twist, directed by Gyllenhaal. Meanwhile, Mescal has continued to build his career with notable roles in films such as Aftersun and as the lead in Ridley Scott’s high-profile sequel Gladiator II.

With the involvement of Buckley, Mescal, and director Benh Zeitlin, Hold on to Your Angels is shaping up to be a standout feature blending romance and crime against the evocative backdrop of Louisiana’s bayou culture. Industry insiders and fans alike are eagerly awaiting more details as the project progresses toward production.

This new collaboration marks a significant moment for both actors, who have made names for themselves through a mix of indie acclaim and participation in major intellectual property adaptations. The film’s themes of love, chaos, and survival in a decaying paradise suggest a gripping story that could position the pair for further awards recognition.

As Plan B and Anora lead production efforts, the film’s debut at Cannes will be a critical opportunity to secure distribution and generate early buzz. With filming scheduled for early 2027, audiences can anticipate a release in the near future that revisits the chemistry and dramatic depth that Buckley and Mescal demonstrated so powerfully in their previous work.

In summary, Hold on to Your Angels promises to be a compelling addition to the crime romance genre, highlighting the talents of two of today’s most promising actors and the visionary direction of Benh Zeitlin. The cinematic world will be watching closely as this project unfolds in the coming months.