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Daily Wire's Stalin-Era Prison Drama 'Confession' Set for Warsaw Premiere, Nov. 11 Release
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In brief
The Daily Wire's new film "Confession," a Stalin-era prison drama starring Rob Lowe and James Franco, will premiere at the Warsaw Film Festival on October 15, 2026, before opening in 100 U.S. theaters and on The Daily Wire's streaming platform on November 11. The film was written by Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro and directed by Czech filmmaker Václav Marhoul, known for "The Painted Bird."
The Daily Wire, the U.S. conservative media company, has released a trailer for "Confession," a historical drama set in Stalin's Soviet Union in 1938. The film premieres at the Warsaw Film Festival on October 15, 2026, and is scheduled to reach U.S. theaters and The Daily Wire's streaming service on November 11.
What the film is about
"Confession" follows Alexei, a disillusioned former literature professor arrested and taken to Moscow's Lubyanka Prison on accusations of conspiring with a dissident priest. During his interrogation, Alexei is confronted by Vladimir, once his star student and now his interrogator. Sources describing the plot say the story centers on Alexei's choice between betrayal and self-sacrifice, and that he ultimately refuses to confess, confronting his past and finding redemption through faith.
Rob Lowe plays Alexei and James Franco plays Vladimir. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Emile Hirsch, Dean Norris, Richard Brake and Brad Dourif.
Who made it
The screenplay was written by Ben Shapiro, The Daily Wire's co-founder. Directing duties went to Czech filmmaker Václav Marhoul, best known for the 2019 war drama "The Painted Bird" and for "Tobruk." The production team listed by sources includes producers Dallas Sonnier, Travis Mills, Shapiro and Sean Calvano, with Peter Menzies Jr. as cinematographer.
The film was shot on 35mm film at Santa Clarita Studios in California, standing in for 1930s Moscow.
Powerful narrative focused on the resilience of the human spirit against oppression
Release plan
After its Warsaw Film Festival premiere, "Confession" is set to open in 100 selected U.S. theaters for a limited run on November 11, 2026. The same day, it is scheduled to become available on The Daily Wire's subscription streaming platform, the company's model for most of its original film and series output.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Setting | Moscow, 1938, under Stalin's regime |
| Director | Václav Marhoul |
| Writer | Ben Shapiro |
| Lead cast | Rob Lowe, James Franco |
| World premiere | Warsaw Film Festival, October 15, 2026 |
| Theatrical release | 100 U.S. theaters, November 11, 2026 |
| Streaming | The Daily Wire platform, November 11, 2026 |
Questions
- What is 'Confession' about?
- It is a 1938-set drama following Alexei, a former literature professor imprisoned in Moscow's Lubyanka Prison and interrogated by his former student Vladimir, exploring themes of betrayal, conscience and self-sacrifice.
- Who stars in 'Confession'?
- Rob Lowe plays Alexei and James Franco plays Vladimir, with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Emile Hirsch, Dean Norris, Richard Brake and Brad Dourif in supporting roles.
- Who wrote and directed the film?
- The screenplay was written by Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro, and the film was directed by Czech filmmaker Václav Marhoul, known for "The Painted Bird."
- When and where can audiences see 'Confession'?
- It premieres at the Warsaw Film Festival on October 15, 2026, then opens in about 100 U.S. theaters and on The Daily Wire's streaming platform on November 11, 2026.
- Where was the film shot?
- It was filmed on 35mm at Santa Clarita Studios in California, used to depict 1930s Moscow.
Sources
- World of Reel — 'Confession' Trailer: Ben Shapiro Wrote a Soviet Prison Drama Starring Rob Lowe and James Franco for 'The Painted Bird' Director
- Yahoo Entertainment — James Franco, Rob Lowe, Jennifer Jason Leigh, & More Lead Daily Wire's Confession Movie Trailer
- SSBCrack News — Daily Wire's Star-Studded Film 'Confession' Set to Premiere at Warsaw Film Festival
This piece was prepared with artificial intelligence and passed an automated source check before publication. If you see an error, ask for a correction. Request a correction or reply · How we make this
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