**The Weight**, Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe’s Depression-era survival thriller directed by Padraic McKinley, premiered to strong critical acclaim at Sundance in January and Berlin in February, earning a 93% Tomatometer from roughly 54 reviews with consensus praise for Hawke’s intense lead performance, assured direction, tense wilderness sequences, and throwback appeal to classics like *Sorcerer* and *Deliverance*. Its wide U.S. theatrical release on September 18—just days before the market resolution—will add mainstream reviews that could modestly shift the certified score depending on how new critics respond to its familiar genre elements and execution. Recent pre-release notices remain favorable, highlighting the film’s rugged craftsmanship and ensemble work.