Herzog’s 'Bucking Fastard' Premieres at Venice with Mara Sisters in Sync

Key points

• The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2026, as part of the main competition.
• Rooney and Kate Mara play Jean and Joan Holbrooke, sisters who speak in perfect unison, a feat that required minimal rehearsal according to Herzog.
• The story is loosely based on the 1981 case of Freda and Greta Chaplin, twins from Yorkshire who became infamous for stalking a neighbor.
• The plot involves the sisters’ rejection by society, a relationship with a neighbor played by Orlando Bloom, and a long-term obsession with tunneling through a mountain.
• Critics noted the film’s 109-minute runtime and its dedication to David Lynch, though many found the narrative structure weak.

Background

This marks the first on-screen pairing for the Mara sisters. Herzog had long wished to make this project, and the film continues his recent trend of returning to narrative fiction after a period focused on documentaries. The Venice Film Festival also featured other notable premieres, including the documentary 'NAZA' and Danny Boyle’s 'Ink.'

How outlets are covering it

AP News reported on the premiere and the Maras’ synchronized performance, noting the film’s debut at the festival. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney praised the Maras’ commitment but criticized the film as 'nutty but thin,' arguing that Herzog failed to develop the idiosyncratic story beyond its quirk factor. Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri described the film as 'nucking futs,' acknowledging the ambition but criticizing Herzog’s dry, matter-of-fact filming style for failing to convey the 'fearsome, inexplicable beauty' of the story. All outlets agreed that the Maras’ performance was the film’s strongest element, but diverged on whether the narrative structure could support such a bold premise.

Why it matters

The film highlights the ongoing debate over Werner Herzog’s narrative capabilities compared to his acclaimed documentaries. It also showcases the Mara sisters’ ability to commit to a highly stylized, synchronized performance, which has become a notable talking point in the 2026 film festival season.

What to watch

The film is expected to seek distribution through HanWay Films, as noted in the credits. No specific release dates have been announced yet, but the Venice premiere suggests a potential theatrical or festival run in late 2026 or early 2027.