Faith: A Grief-Stricken Mother Meets a Mysterious Stranger in Paul Andrew Williams' TIFF Drama

Key points

• Faith is a 108-minute drama directed and written by Paul Andrew Williams, premiering in the Special Presentations section of TIFF 2026.
• Erin Doherty plays Gina, a single mother and candy factory worker, while James McAvoy plays Michael, a teetotal stranger who volunteers at a food bank.
• The plot centers on Gina's relationship with Michael, who displays seemingly supernatural knowledge of her life, leading to a major traumatic event.
• The film is set in a council estate in Yorkshire, focusing on working-class life without emphasizing class conflict, instead exploring themes of grief and redemption.
• Production companies include Blazing Griffin, Homefront Productions, and Giant Productions, with sales handled by Bankside.

Background

Faith is the latest project from Paul Andrew Williams, known for his 2021 genre film Bull and the 2025 drama Dragonfly. It follows the latter's pattern of pairing strong performances with a supernatural twist. The film was highlighted in earlier TIFF 2026 coverage as a standout performance vehicle for Erin Doherty, who recently appeared in The Crown and Netflix's Adolescence.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and Deadline offer largely positive assessments, praising the 'ferocious commitment' of Doherty and McAvoy. The Guardian compares the film's mood to Atom Egoyan or M Night Shyamalan, while Deadline frames it as a 'soulful' companion piece to Williams' previous work. In contrast, The Hollywood Reporter criticizes the film's third act, calling the supernatural reveal 'daft' and 'horror-adjacent,' arguing that the theological ending undermines the strong naturalism of the first two acts. While The Guardian notes the 'eerie' atmosphere, The Hollywood Reporter finds the conclusion 'messy' and 'icky.' All outlets agree that Doherty's performance is the film's strongest element, with Deadline describing it as 'heartbreaking' and 'raw.'

Why it matters

Faith showcases the continued relevance of British independent cinema at major international festivals. It highlights the ability of established actors like Doherty and McAvoy to carry complex, genre-blending narratives. The film's reception underscores the ongoing debate in contemporary cinema regarding the balance between grounded realism and supernatural or religious metaphors in dramatic storytelling.

What to watch

Faith is currently in the sales and distribution phase following its TIFF premiere. With Bankside handling sales, the film is expected to seek a wider theatrical release or a streaming deal in the coming months. No specific release date has been announced yet.