Living up to the expectations of family members is a hard task for anyone. Living up to ones that require you to break the law are on an entirely different level. In the upcoming Trespass Against Us, it seems Michael Fassbender is tasked with the latter of the two.
The film stars Fassbender as the reluctant criminal golden child of a family of outlaws led by the always fantastic Brendan Gleeson. Seemingly at a moral crossroad, Fassbender’s Chad is faced with the hard choice of continuing on with the family business (which appears to be rough-and-tumble smash and grabs) or going against everything he’s ever known for the sake of his wife and children.
What’s interesting is seeing how well the relationships are formed even from this short two-minute trailer. Gleeson and Fassbender truly seem like a father and son with a complicated past that runs incredibly deep, and it’s evident that Fassbender’s character shares a strong bond with his children (especially his son). So while we can expect more than a few action sequences, the heart of the film seems to be in the connections between its characters. If that weren’t enough, we’re confident this will be a film worth watching because it’s directed by Adam Smith, who we can thank for some of the more compelling Matt Smith Doctor Who episodes. The indelible mark he left on that series with “The Eleventh Hour,” “The Time of Angels,” and “Flesh and Stone” were incredible for character development and suspense so we’re sure Trespass Against Us is in good hands.
The title, likely taken from “The Lord’s Prayer,” may also hold some weight in what we’ll see in the film. “Give us this day our daily bread/and forgive us our trespasses/as we forgive those who trespass against us/and lead us not into temptation/but deliver us from evil.” Setting aside the face value religious meaning, it’s interesting to think of this passage as possible plot points for the film. There’s an obvious correlation between Gleeson’s patriarchal character and God (or perhaps the Devil), while Fassbender seems to be seeking his blessing or forgiveness for wanting to leave. Will temptation get the best of him? We can’t wait to find out.
The U.S. and UK release of Trespass Against Us are both set for November 2016, with A24 (Ex Machina, Swiss Army Man) handling American distribution.
What are your thoughts on Trespass Against Us? Is it even possible for Fassbender and Gleeson to make a bad film? Not likely, but Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Image: Lionsgate/A24
