Claire Foy’s “unconventional” British drama gets emotional trailer as it confirms UK release date

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The first trailer is out for H is for Hawk, a new film starring Claire Foy. Based on Helen Macdonald’s popular memoir, the movie has been described by Variety as a unique and touching story about loss, and will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on January 23, 2026.

Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, H is for Hawk tells the story of Helen, who is grieving the loss of her father, Alisdair Macdonald, played by Brendan Gleeson. The film also stars Sam Spruell, Josh Dylan, Denise Gough, Lindsay Duncan, Emma Cunniffe, and Arty Froushan.

I was really drawn in by the story of Helen – it’s about how devastated she is when her dad dies. The book dives into all her memories of birdwatching and exploring nature with him, and how she tries to cope with the loss by remembering those special times together. It sounds incredibly moving!

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Helen becomes consumed with the desire to train a goshawk, a powerful and intimidating bird, and brings one named Mabel home with her to Cambridge, where she’s a graduate student. She prepares for the challenging task by stocking up on food for Mabel and disconnecting from the outside world, fully dedicating herself to training this wild creature.

While Helen Macdonald works to train a hawk named Mabel, she also experiences a personal transformation of her own. H is for Hawk chronicles her emotional and spiritual journey, exploring themes of memory, the natural world, and finding peace between loss and living.

The film debuted at the Telluride Film Festival in August and then screened at the London Film Festival in October. It has received widespread critical acclaim, earning an 82% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

According to Screen International, Foy delivers a fantastic performance in a film that powerfully and honestly portrays mental health struggles, while also showcasing stunning wildlife photography and a deep love for nature.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the show truly shines when it embraces a bit of chaos and isn’t afraid to be unpredictable.

Variety noted that rather than focusing on what the book lacks, it’s better to appreciate what it offers. They described H Is for Hawk as a touching story about a unique passion for falconry.

H is for Hawk will land in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 23 January 2026.

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2025-11-05 15:21