Confession Releases Trailer for Stalin Era Prison Drama

The Daily Wire has released the first trailer for Confession, a historical drama set in 1938 Stalinist Moscow that stars James Franco and Rob Lowe, was written by Ben Shapiro, and is directed by Vaclav Marhoul. The film centers on a former literature professor facing interrogation in Lubyanka Prison.

According to the film's official synopsis, "In Stalin's 1938 Moscow, a disillusioned former literature professor, Alexei, is arrested and brought to the infamous Lubyanka Prison, charged with conspiring with his dissident priest. There, Alexei faces interrogation by his brilliant and brutal former student, Vladimir. Forced to the ultimate test of betrayal or conscience, and confronted with his past sins, Alexei finds redemption through truth, sacrificing himself to save others in a haunting tale of morality and resistance," the production described the story's central conflict.

The trailer shows Rob Lowe portraying Alexei, who is detained over an alleged conspiracy involving a priest. James Franco plays Vladimir, Alexei's former student who becomes the interrogator inside the prison, according to the trailer details reported by Yahoo.

"Professor," says Vladimir, portrayed by James Franco in the trailer.

The interrogation scenes depict increasing pressure on Alexei as Vladimir attempts to force a confession. The preview also includes a confrontation between Alexei and another inmate about suffering under the Soviet system.

"You will remember your duty," says Vladimir in the trailer.

"Have you ever seen a child starve to death, Professor?" asks the inmate in the trailer.

"No," replies Alexei in the trailer.

"I have," responds the inmate in the trailer.

The cast also includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Nick Nolte, Richard Brake, Emile Hirsch, Brad Dourif, and Dean Norris. The film was shot on 35mm at Santa Clarita Studios, with production design by Vincent Reynaud and makeup and prosthetics work by Jeff Dawn, according to World of Reel.

Marhoul, known for The Painted Bird and Tobruk, brings a restrained chamber-drama approach to Confession. The film is scheduled to premiere at the Warsaw Film Festival on October 15, 2026, before a special screening event in 100 US theaters on November 11, 2026, when it will also arrive on The Daily Wire streaming service.