Lila Neugebauer’s directorial debutCausewaychronicles the struggles of one US soldier’s readjustment into civilian society after suffering a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan. The drama premiered at the2022 Toronto International Film Festival, and explores themes like depression and anxiety, and learning to heal from and cope with trauma. Ahead of its theatrical release, and premiere on AppleTV+ on November 4, brand-new images,unveiled by DiscussingFilm, show Oscar-winnerJennifer Lawrencealongside co-star and Emmy-nomineeBrian Tyree Henryas they explore their own physical and psychological wounds.
InCauseway, Lawrence plays Lynsey, a US solider who’s recently returned to her hometown of New Orleans after suffering head trauma while on duty in Afghanistan. Previously in the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lynsey finds herself returning from war to yet another battle - facing her negligent mother and her past demons. Rendered incapable of functioning 100% on her own from the brain injury, Lynsey finds herself in a dark place during her rehabilitation, and sets her sights on returning to the army. When she meets James (Tyree Henry), the two unwittingly bond over their past and their traumas. Through their friendship,Causewayseems to show it’s easier to have compassion for someone else’s struggles than your own, but that through each other they can learn and grow from that.
The new images highlight some of the film’s beauty captured by cinematographerDiego García(Wildlife). We see glimpses ofCauseway’s setting in New Orleans, a factor that plays heavily in the narrative of the story. It’s the return to this city, and to her mother, that drives Lawrence’s character to return to the dangerous, yet organized life of the army. The images also show us a fraught Henry in a bar, likely immersed in an intimate moment with Lynsey. The photos give nothing away, but they show the relationship between the two main characters, as well as a tense moment between director Neugebauer and Lawrence.
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The film marks Lawrence’s second feature film return sinceX-Men: Dark Phoenix, followingAdam McKay’s Netflix dramedyDon’t Look UpoppositeMeryl StreepandLeonardo DiCaprio. The four-time Oscar nominee is best known for her role as Katniss Everdeen inThe Hunger Gamessaga, and earned an Oscar win for her leading role inDavid O. Russell’s adaptation ofSilver Linings Playbook.
Two-time Emmy nominated Henry is best known for his starring role as Alfred ‘Paper Boi’ Miles inDonald Glover’s Hulu seriesAtlanta. After a number of smaller roles for hit series likeBoardwalk Empire,How to Get Away with MurderandThis Is Us, Henry has shown some serious acting chops as his career has grown. Most recently, he’s broken into major roles in feature films as Phastos in the MCU’sEternalsand Lemon inDavid Leitch’sBullet Train, oppositeBrad Pitt.
The screenplay forCausewayis written by novelistOttessa Moshfegh,Luke Goebel,andElizabeth Sanders. Director Neugebauer also serves as an executive producer with Lawrence’s Excellent Cadaver, as well as IAC Films and A24.
Causewaywill be in theaters and on Apple TV+ on November 4. you’re able to see theDiscussingFilm’s imagesbelow:
