The Plague Trailer: Joel Edgerton’s New Film is Disturbing

Don’t miss the chilling first trailer for ‘The Plague.’ See why critics at Cannes are calling this Joel Edgerton thriller a masterpiece of psychological turmoil. The disturbing story of bullying at a summer camp is worse than you think.
The Plague Trailer: Joel Edgerton's New Film is Disturbing
  • The first official trailer for the psychological thriller ‘The Plague’, starring Joel Edgerton and Everett Blunck, has just been released by IFC Films.
  • The film was a sensation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, earning rave reviews from critics who praised its intense atmosphere and powerful performances.
  • ‘The Plague’ centers on a socially anxious boy at a water polo camp who becomes entangled in a cruel bullying ritual with terrifying consequences.
  • It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on December 24, 2025, followed by a wider release on January 2, 2026.

The Haunting First Trailer for ‘The Plague’ Has Arrived

The film that captivated and disturbed audiences at the Cannes Film Festival is finally here. IFC Films has unveiled the highly anticipated first trailer for The Plague, a tense psychological thriller starring Joel Edgerton. The footage offers a chilling glimpse into a story of adolescent cruelty and spiraling anxiety that critics are already hailing as a must-see event.

What is ‘The Plague’ About?

Set at an all-boys water polo camp, the film follows Ben (Everett Blunck), a socially anxious twelve-year-old struggling to fit in. His summer takes a dark turn when he is pulled into a cruel camp tradition targeting an outcast with an illness the other boys call “The Plague.” As the lines between a childish game and horrifying reality begin to blur, Ben fears the joke may be hiding something far more sinister. Joel Edgerton co-stars as the camp’s coach, who may be oblivious to the darkness unfolding under his watch.

Despite its ominous title, the film is not a conventional horror movie but a slick and clever thriller that dissects the brutal dynamics of bullying and peer pressure.

Watch the Official Trailer

The trailer masterfully builds a sense of dread, underscored by a haunting score and stunning cinematography that were both lauded at its festival premiere. See for yourself why this film is generating so much buzz.

Cannes Buzz and Critical Acclaim

The Plague first premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with widespread critical acclaim. The feature directorial debut from Charlie Polinger was praised as a standout indie discovery. One review from the festival celebrated it as “proper filmmaking firing on all cylinders,” confirming that the hype surrounding the performances and direction is well-deserved.

The Team and Release Date

Directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Charlie Polinger, the film stars Everett Blunck as Ben, alongside Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, and veteran actor Joel Edgerton. Produced by a team that includes Roy Lee (IT, Barbarian), the film is poised to be a major topic of conversation.

IFC Films will release The Plague in select US theaters starting December 24th, 2025, with a wider expansion planned for January 2nd, 2026. Don’t be the one to miss out on what is sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.

Image Referance: https://www.firstshowing.net/2025/must-see-trailer-for-the-plague-with-everett-blunck-joel-edgerton/