Star-Studded Cast in Brad Anderson’s Thriller: Dacre Montgomery, Diane Lane Lead ‘Moral Capacity’

Dacre Montgomery, known from “Stranger Things” and recently seen in Gus Van Sant’s “Dead Man’s Wire” at film festivals, is set to star in the new psychological thriller “Moral Capacity.” He will be joined by Academy Award nominee Diane Lane, Academy Award winner Tim Robbins, and Sofia Boutella of “Kingsman: The Secret Service” fame.

The film, which is being introduced at TIFF by Highland Film Group, is directed by Brad Anderson, known for “The Call” and “The Machinist”. The screenplay is penned by Peter Moore Smith, author of “Raveling” and “Los Angeles.”

“Moral Capacity” centers around James Fisher (played by Montgomery), who risks losing his family, reputation, and seemingly flawless life when his affair with business associate Andrea (Boutella) comes to light through her husband, Cliff (Robbins). The plot thickens as James is forced into a fatal choice: commit a murder or see his life crumble. Cliff orchestrates this sinister blackmail and manipulation game, while James seeks help from his therapist, Dr. Torre (Lane), who herself conceals even more profound secrets.

The film’s production team includes Mark Amin and Cami Winikoff of Sobini Films, both known for “Dead Man’s Wire,” and Jamee Natella of Blueyed Pictures, known for “The Last Firefighter.” Executive producers are Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier from Highland Film Group, along with Dave Devries from Sobini Films. Orly Sitowitz has taken on the role of casting director for the film.

Director Anderson expressed his enthusiasm for the script, praising its blend of character-driven narrative and paranoid thriller elements, reminiscent of his earlier works such as ‘The Machinist’ and ‘Session 9’. He is particularly excited about working with Tim Robbins, citing Robbins’ work in ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ as a significant influence on his own approach to the thriller genre.

International rights for “Moral Capacity” are being handled by Highland Film Group, with CAA Media Finance managing domestic rights. Filming is scheduled to begin in the U.K. in early 2026.

Highland Film Group CEO Fraser commends Anderson for his bold and distinctive directing style, ideal for bringing this intense psychological thriller to the screen.

The film boasts a stellar cast including Diane Lane, Sofia Boutella, Tim Robbins, and Dacre Montgomery, whose upcoming project includes the highly anticipated “Dead Man’s Wire.” The diverse and talented cast is expected to appeal to a global audience, as shared by COO Perrier.

Producer Amin highlighted the unique blend of artistic depth and commercial viability of the project, predicting that it will meet the demands of the contemporary tough market with its strong directorial vision and cast.

Highland Film Group’s current portfolio also includes a variety of other thrilling projects such as “The Mark” with Jessica Alba, “Stratagem” featuring Noomi Rapace, and “Just Play Dead” starring Samuel L. Jackson.