‘Faith’ Starring James McAvoy and Erin Doherty Secures Major Toronto Premiere – First Look Revealed

Some of the most captivating films on the festival circuit are those that keep viewers guessing until the very end, and this upcoming project appears to embody that slow-burn mystery. With production completed and a prestigious festival slot now confirmed, fans are finally getting their first real glimpse at one of 2026’s most anticipated genre dramas.

‘Faith’ unites James McAvoy and Erin Doherty for their inaugural collaboration, bringing together two of British cinema’s most celebrated talents under the direction of Paul Andrew Williams. This film marks Williams’ seventh feature, following his critically acclaimed 2025 release ‘Dragonfly,’ which solidified his reputation for dark, emotionally resonant storytelling.

New first-look images have now unveiled the film’s core premise, showcasing McAvoy and Doherty in subtly tense, atmospheric scenes ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September. The official synopsis reveals that the narrative centers around Gina, a devoted single mother whose life is disrupted when she encounters Michael, a quietly enigmatic stranger whose true motives remain frustratingly ambiguous.

This ambiguity lies at the heart of the film’s supernatural theme, with the synopsis hinting that Michael’s presence could be caring, romantic, or something far more sinister. As Gina’s life is turned upside down and his true identity is revealed, she reportedly finds a path back to embracing life more fully, suggesting that the film ultimately conveys a message of hope rather than horror.

Williams has described the project in deeply personal terms, referring to it as a story of strength and hope set within a familiar reality that is subtly overshadowed by something otherworldly and difficult to articulate. He has also expressed gratitude for collaborating with a cast and crew who share his vision for the film.

For Doherty, ‘Faith’ marks a significant creative milestone following her Emmy and Golden Globe-winning performance in ‘Adolescence,’ representing her first major lead role in a feature film. McAvoy, on the other hand, brings his own recent momentum to the project, having recently made his directorial debut with ‘California Schemin’,’ which also premiered at TIFF the previous year.

The cast is further enriched by Liv Hill and Smylie Bradwell, contributing to a project that appears to be crafted with awards-season aspirations in mind. The film is produced by Dominic Tighe and Danny Page, with Bankside Films and Logical managing international sales for buyers.

‘Faith’s’ inclusion in TIFF’s 2026 lineup positions it among a competitive slate of Gala Presentations, sharing the spotlight with high-profile titles like Anton Corbijn’s ‘A Talent for Murder’ starring Helen Mirren, and Takashi Miike’s ‘Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo.’ The festival runs from September 10 through 20 in Toronto, providing ‘Faith’ with its official world premiere platform alongside some of the year’s most eagerly anticipated cinematic debuts.

Given the strength of both leads’ recent work and Williams’ track record for emotionally rich genre filmmaking, expectations are already mounting for how ‘Faith’ will be received once it screens for festival audiences. Whether the film leans further into its supernatural mystery or grounds itself more firmly in Gina’s emotional journey remains to be seen, but the collaboration between McAvoy and Doherty alone makes this one of the fall’s most intriguing new releases.

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