Cate Blanchett is set to headline Sweetsick, the feature directorial debut of acclaimed writer Alice Birch. If Birch’s name rings a bell, it’s because she penned the razor-sharp Lady Macbeth, helped power Succession to awards glory (and about a million Emmys), and adapted Sally Rooney’s Normal People and Conversations With Friends for the screen. Now, she’s stepping behind the camera with an original screenplay of her own – and she’s bringing one of the greatest actors of her generation with her.

Birch, for her part, sounds exhilarated to make the leap, calling it a dream to launch her first feature with this team and “the peerless” Blanchett at its centre. Here's what you need to know.

What is the film about?

The film follows a mercurial woman (Blanchett) with a strange gift: she can see what people most intimately need – an insight that comes at a personal cost. It’s the kind of premise that sounds equal parts haunting and humane, tailor-made for Blanchett’s gift for flinty intelligence and emotional volatility. With filming set to start soon in both the U.K. and Greece, we've already got hints at a visually rich journey home.

Who else is involved in the film?

While we're yet to know too much more about casting outside of Blanchett's leading role, behind the scenes, the pedigree is top-shelf. Searchlight Pictures is producing alongside House Productions, Blanchett’s own Dirty Films, and Film4, with Film4 also co-financing and executive producing. The producing team includes House’s Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, and Theo Barrowclough, with Lee Groombridge producing as well – names that consistently appear on some of the most interesting British and international titles of the past decade.

When will it be released?

Production is set to start later this fall, so we think this will be a 2026 cinematic release. We'll keep you updated as we know more.