I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
2026

I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

Five lifelong friends hit thirty and find adulthood hasn’t delivered what it promised. Anthony Boyle, Lola Petticrew, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo and Daryl McCormack form an electrifying ensemble in Clio Barnard’s funny, bruising portrait of friendship and precarious Britain. Based on the novel by Keiran Goddard.

Director

Clio Barnard

Runtime

109 Minutes

Country

France, United Kingdom, United States

Classification

Unclassified 15+

Turning thirty was supposed to look different. Lifelong friends Patrick (Anthony Boyle), Shiv (Lola Petticrew), Rian (Joe Cole), Oli (Jay Lycurgo) and Conor (Daryl McCormack) grew up together on a Birmingham estate, but now confront an adulthood that has failed to deliver on the promises of youth. One has left and prospered, others remain; while relationships fracture, addiction takes hold and the expectations of work, property and family become increasingly impossible to meet. Clio Barnard’s vibrant ensemble drama captures the messy entanglements of friendship in a Britain reshaped by precarity and inequality, finding humour, warmth and dark hope among people already exhausted by life, but still trying to build one together.

“A quintet of outstanding performances.”

The Guardian

Cannes

Sydney

Melbourne

Film Credits

Director

Clio Barnard

Year

2026

Country

FranceUnited Kingdom & United States

Language

English

Type

Feature Fiction

Program Strand

World Cinema

Producer

Tracy O’Riordan

Writer

Enda Walsh

Cinematographer

Simon Tindall

Editor

Maya Maffioli

Cast

Anthony BoyleDaryl McCormackJay LycurgoJoe Cole & Lola Petticrew

Music

Harry Escott

Film Source

Charades

Genre

Coming of Age & Drama

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