Juliette Binoche’s award-winning drama Queen at Sea has released a new trailer. The film follows Amanda, played by Binoche, as she faces a devastating family situation involving her mother’s dementia. Written and directed by Lance Hammer, the film also stars Tom Courtenay, Anna Calder-Marshall, and Florence Hunt.
Queen at Sea has already received significant critical recognition on the festival circuit. It won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival. It currently holds a 95% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is set to release in theaters on October 30, 2026.
Check out the Queen at Sea trailer below:
Queen at Sea explores dementia, family responsibility, and moral conflict
The trailer shows Amanda’s difficult situation as her mother, Leslie (Calder-Marshall), deals with advanced dementia. As Leslie’s condition worsens, Amanda is forced to take on responsibility for her mother’s care and well-being. It leaves Amanda to consider how far she should go to protect her mother.
The situation becomes even more complicated because of her stepfather, Martin (Tom Courtenay). She grows concerned about their sexual relationship and begins questioning whether Leslie is capable of making important decisions for herself. Her decision to intervene creates a conflict that forces the family to confront questions about love, consent, and responsibility.
The film uses the family conflict to explore the complicated realities of dementia. It highlights how dementia can affect family relationships. Amanda must decide if her choices are right for her mother, while Martin’s perspective adds another layer to the conflict.
Queen at Sea marks Hammer’s return to feature filmmaking after his acclaimed 2008 film Ballast. The filmmaker returns with a story that explores the emotional impact of dementia rather than treating it simply as a medical condition. Hammer is also producing the film alongside Tristan Goligher.
The film is scheduled to open in limited theaters on October 30, 2026.
