A brand-new indie gem is gearing up for its big debut. The first official trailer for 500 Miles has landed online, offering a heartfelt glimpse at a family dramedy that blends road movie energy with emotional depth. Directed by British filmmaker Morgan Matthews, the film is set to premiere at the 2026 Dublin Film Festival this March. While there’s no confirmed theatrical release date yet, the plan is to open first in Ireland and the UK before making its way to US audiences later in the year.
Adapted from Charlie and Me: 421 Miles from Home by Mark Lowery, 500 Miles stretches the journey slightly but keeps the emotional core intact. The screenplay, penned by Malcolm Campbell, follows two brothers who run away at dawn to avoid being separated by their feuding parents. Their mission? Travel 500 miles from Yorkshire across land and sea to the rugged west coast of Ireland, where their beloved (and long-forbidden) grandfather waits.
The young leads are played by Roman Griffin Davis and Dexter Sol Ansell, portraying Finn and his little brother Charlie with grit and vulnerability. Along the way, they cross paths with a free-spirited street musician named Kait, played by Maisie Williams, who’s wrestling with troubles of her own. The supporting cast adds serious gravitas, including Bill Nighy as the eccentric grandfather John, plus Clare Dunne, Michael Socha, and Loré Adewusi.
The trailer leans into sweeping coastal landscapes, quiet sibling moments, and bursts of humor that keep the tone buoyant despite the heavy subject matter. Matthews, known for previous features like A Brilliant Young Mind and The Railway Children Return, appears to balance sentiment with sincerity, steering clear of melodrama in favor of something more poetic and life-affirming.
At its heart, 500 Miles is less about the distance traveled and more about emotional reconnection. It’s a story about broken families, stubborn love, and the messy beauty of finding your way back to each other — even if that means hopping ferries and dodging adults along the way. The “kindness of strangers” thread gives it a timeless fable quality, while the rugged Irish backdrop promises plenty of cinematic soul.
Does it look good so far? Absolutely — especially if you’re a fan of character-driven road movies with a tender edge. If the full film delivers on the warmth and authenticity teased in the trailer, 500 Miles could be one of 2026’s quiet crowd-pleasers. We’ll find out when it premieres in Dublin this spring — and hopefully begins its own journey across international screens soon after.
Check Out The Trailer:-