Down the Arm of God
| Down the Arm of God | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Brunner |
| Written by | Peter Brunner Caleb Landry Jones |
| Produced by | Luc Besson Caleb Landry Jones |
| Starring | Caleb Landry Jones India Marie Cross Mena Suvari Nick Stahl |
| Cinematography | Peter Flinckenberg |
| Edited by | Peter Brunner |
| Music by | Tim Hecker |
Production companies | |
Release date |
|
| Countries | France United States |
| Language | English |
Down the Arm of God is a 2026 independent drama film written and directed by Peter Brunner, who co-wrote the screenplay with Caleb Landry Jones. Inspired by true events, the film explores themes of housing insecurity and unhoused communities. It is an international co-production between France and the United States, starring Jones, India Marie Cross, Mena Suvari, and Nick Stahl.[1][2]
The film is produced by Luc Besson through EuropaCorp, alongside Jones. Christian Sosa and Jon Wroblewski serve as co-producers for the American production company Roosevelt Film Lab. Principal photography took place during winter in Texas, with international sales handled by Kinology.[3][4] Down the Arm of God premiered at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival.[5]
Premise
A young pastor in a small Texas town helps the homeless during the winter. He faces resistance from his congregation.[4]
Cast
- Caleb Landry Jones as Nick
- India Marie Cross
- Mena Suvari
- Nick Stahl
Production
Development of the film began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a collaboration between Brunner and Landry Jones, who previously worked together on the 2018 film To the Night.[6] Several members of the local unhoused community were cast as actors and background extras during the shoot.[4]
The project received early development funding from Filmfonds Wien and the Austrian Film Institute (Österreichisches Filminstitut) through Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion. Principal photography took place on location in Texas and wrapped in early 2025.[3] Luc Besson joined the production through his EuropaCorp banner, marking his third collaboration with Caleb Landry Jones following DogMan (2023) and Dracula: A Love Tale.[4] International sales are handled by Kinology, which presented the project to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in February 2025.[3]
In interviews following production, Jones described Down the Arm of God as a "social impact" film and said that financing projects addressing social issues had become increasingly difficult despite their importance.[7] Director Peter Brunner likewise described the film as his most challenging production, citing the logistical and legal barriers involved in working closely with members of unhoused communities.[4][7]
Brunner wrote the initial screenplay before revising it with Jones, marking their second collaboration following To the Night (2018).[8]
References
- ↑ "Down the Arm of God". EuropaCorp. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (4 February 2025). "Caleb Landry Jones, Peter Brunner Team on Homelessness Drama Down the Arm of God, Luc Besson Producing". Variety. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Wiseman, Andreas (3 February 2025). "Mena Suvari, Nick Stahl & India Marie Cross Join Caleb Landry Jones In Peter Brunner's Down the Arm of God". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ritman, Alex (February 13, 2025). "Caleb Landry Jones Reunites With Peter Brunner and Luc Besson on Passion Project 'Down the Arm of God' (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ↑ "Down the Arm of God". LocarnoFestival.ch. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ CinephileGirl (February 2026). "Interview with Peter Brunner: Unseen Dynamics and Social Realism". CinephileGirl Substack. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- 1 2 Bowie, Desiree (February 1, 2026). "Caleb Landry Jones' 'Down the Arm of God' and the Crisis of Funding Social Impact Films".
- ↑ "Let the Right One Win". Anthem Magazine.