MUBI has released the official trailer for A Long Winter, the latest film from director Andrew Haigh, starring Fred Hechinger, Kit Connor, Caitríona Balfe, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. Adapted from Colm Tóibín‘s novella, the drama explores family tensions, loss, and personal identity against the harsh conditions of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains in 1951. The film held its UK premiere as a Headline Gala at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2026, and will arrive in UK and Irish cinemas on January 15, 2027.
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Hechinger plays Mike, who lives with his parents in an isolated mountain community. His younger brother Tommy, played by Connor, serves in the Korean War, leaving Mike to navigate growing tensions between his mother Louise and father Lester. Louise struggles with the limitations of her remote existence and the family life her husband has established. When she disappears into the snowy wilderness, Mike joins his father and neighbours in searching for her.
The disappearance forces Mike to confront questions about his family and his place within it. His efforts to preserve stability give way to a developing understanding of his own needs. The arrival of Jimmy, played by Woon-A-Tai, introduces another perspective on life and encourages Mike to consider possibilities beyond his familiar surroundings.
Haigh first encountered Tóibín’s story in 2006, securing the adaptation rights before directing his first feature film. The filmmaker initially explored a screenplay that retained the novella’s original setting in the Spanish Pyrenees. He eventually relocated the narrative to Colorado, drawing on his experiences travelling through the American state.
Over nearly two decades, Haigh’s understanding of the material changed. He initially identified with Mike’s loneliness and uncertainty, while later recognizing aspects of himself in the character’s parents. This evolving perspective informed his interpretation of a family struggling with emotional distance and the possibility of personal growth following loss.
The production brought the cast and crew to Alberta, Canada, where the Canadian Rockies provided the setting for the Colorado story. Production designer Emmanuel Fréchette constructed the family’s house on a remote mountainside, giving the actors direct access to the environment throughout filming. Haigh wanted the changing weather, mountain views, and physical isolation to inform the performances.
The location introduced considerable production challenges. Snow arrived several weeks later than the team anticipated, while temperatures eventually dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Strong winds created further complications, including a storm that removed the house’s roof. The crew also travelled to Fortress Mountain for outdoor search sequences, accessing the remote location by snowcat and snowmobile.
Haigh chose to shoot A Long Winter on 35mm film, working with cinematographer André Chemetoff to capture the natural conditions and atmospheric qualities of the mountains. The demanding temperatures required additional attention to film stock and equipment throughout production.
The director’s approach extends to the relationships between the characters. Mike’s connection with Tommy reflects their differing expectations of family life, while Louise’s dissatisfaction introduces questions about independence and belonging. Jimmy’s arrival opens another possibility for Mike as he begins to reconsider his identity.
