I See Buildings Fall Like LightningI See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

Five friends. Five lives. Countless hopes.

Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli and Conor grew up together. They played together, skipped school together, and dreamt of everything they'd do with their lives. Now they’re thirty and those dreams haven’t materialised quite how they imagined. Adapted by acclaimed Irish playwright Edna Walsh from Keiran Goddard’s titular novel, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, the intoxicating yet compassionate fifth feature from director Clio Barnard, won the audience award at the Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight.

Patrick (Anthony Boyle) and Shiv (Lola Petticrew) are as in love as ever, but their relationship is rocked when an old secret opens up new wounds. Charismatic Oli (Jay Lycurgo), always the life and soul, is partying too hard and is fading by the day. Conor (Daryl McCormack) has a baby on the way and a business plan that could change everything. Only Rian (Joe Cole) has left the estate, moved to London and made a lot of money. He’s lonely and disconnected, missing home and community, his ‘family’ of close friends.

Please note: Contains Flashing Images.

Courtesy of Curzon Film.

Clio Barnard | United Kingdom, United States, France | 2026 | 109 mins | 15