Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) is set to star in the upcoming holiday comedy-drama Last Night at The Lobster, which will be directed by Narcos star Wagner Moura. Moura, who also leads the cast, is bringing his storytelling vision to this adaptation of Stewart O’Nan’s novel. This film will mark Moura’s second feature as a director, following Marighella in 2019. Sofia Carson (Purple Hearts) and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) also join the cast.
READ: Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch and More Join Eddie Murphy’s Heist Comedy ‘The Pickup’
The screenplay, adapted by Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, Jane Anderson, and Eboni Booth, captures the bittersweet holiday spirit of O’Nan’s story. Last Night at The Lobster centers on Manny, the manager of a seafood chain restaurant, who arrives one morning just a week before Christmas to learn that his location is closing. Faced with a tough decision, Manny must choose which employees to bring to the next location. A surprise blizzard traps the team inside, giving them one final evening to celebrate together and say goodbye.
Bankside Films is leading international sales for Last Night at The Lobster at the American Film Market, with WME Independent handling North American distribution rights. Produced by Peter Saraf and Eddie Rubin of Optimistic Pictures (The Farewell, Loving, Little Miss Sunshine), the film is set to begin shooting early next year.
Moura, speaking about the project, shared his connection to the story: “I feel I’ve been preparing for the last 30 years to make this movie. When I first read Last Night at The Lobster, it struck me as a classic holiday film with all the heightened emotion and heartwarming message that you expect, but also one that evokes the films about working-class people which have been an integral part of cinematic storytelling and my biggest influence growing up in Brazil.”
Last Night at The Lobster offers a fresh perspective on the holiday genre, blending humor, warmth, and a deep appreciation for resilience and friendship.