Brad Pitt teams up with A24 and Edward Berger for Haunting Adaptation of The Riders

Brad Pitt is returning to the big screen in a gripping new drama. The Oscar-winning actor will headline The Riders, an adaptation of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel, with Conclave director Edward Berger at the helm. The film is being backed and distributed by indie powerhouse A24, with production set to begin in early 2026 across several European locations.
The Riders tells the emotionally intense story of a man who relocates to Ireland with his family, only to be plunged into a frantic search after his wife mysteriously vanishes. The novel’s suspenseful narrative and deeply human themes make it a strong candidate for a poignant cinematic experience.
Screenwriter David Kajganich, known for his collaborations with Luca Guadagnino on A Bigger Splash, The Terror, and Bones and All, is penning the screenplay. The project brings together an impressive lineup of producers, including Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, Edward Berger’s Nine Hours, Brad Pitt’s Plan B, and Kajganich himself.
This marks another high-profile project for Berger, who was recently nominated for an Oscar for his direction of All Quiet on the Western Front and also directed the upcoming Vatican-set drama Conclave. His knack for moody, atmospheric storytelling is expected to pair seamlessly with Winton’s introspective tale.
Meanwhile, Pitt continues to expand his diverse filmography. He’s set to star next in F1, a racing drama directed by Top Gun: Maverick filmmaker Joseph Kosinski. He’s also attached to The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, a spinoff of Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 hit Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with David Fincher directing and Tarantino writing the screenplay.
A24, known for its distinctive and daring productions, is assembling a compelling slate for the coming year. Highlights include Celine Song’s romantic comedy Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal; Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s sports biopic Smashing Machine; and the whimsical ping pong adventure Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet. The studio’s recent releases include Opus led by Ayo Edebiri, Paul Rudd’s dark comedy Death of a Unicorn, Alex Garland’s military thriller Warfare, and the fantasy epic The Legend of Ochi.
With top-tier talent in front of and behind the camera, The Riders promises to be a standout entry in A24’s growing catalog of emotionally resonant films. For Pitt, it's another opportunity to dive into a layered character, while for Berger and Kajganich, it's a chance to bring a haunting literary tale to life on screen.
Are you excited to see Brad Pitt in this darker, more introspective role?