Benedict Cumberbatch Faces a Giant Crow in The Thing with Feathers — Exclusive First Poster Unveiled
A Marvel alum ditches the cape for a haunting tearjerker that fuses the dread of The Babadook with the wonder of A Monster Calls.
File this under bleak-but-intriguing: Benedict Cumberbatch has a new British drama that leans hard into grief and horror, and it hits theaters next month. The Thing With Feathers just dropped its official poster via a GamesRadar+ exclusive, and the timing could not be more on the nose — it opens on Black Friday. Giant crow story. Black Friday. You get it.
What is this thing?
It is an adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning book Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, reframed as a psychological drama with horror edges. Think: a young father drowning in loss, parenting on fumes, and then a presence shows up that may or may not be real.
"Following the death of his wife, a young father’s hold on reality crumbles and a strange presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the apartment he shares with his two young sons. A man-like crow, seemingly brought to life from the father’s work as an illustrator, is about to become a very real part of all of their lives, ultimately guiding them towards the new shape their family must take."
Who’s behind it
The film is written and directed by Dylan Southern. Cumberbatch leads, and early chatter out of festivals says his performance lands.
Festival run and release
The Thing With Feathers premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, then popped up at the Berlin International Film Festival about a month later. The first official trailer is out now, teasing Cumberbatch’s already well-reviewed turn. Theatrical release is set for November 28 — yep, Black Friday — with a broad big-screen rollout.
- Sundance premiere: early 2025
- Berlin screening: roughly one month after Sundance
- Trailer: out now
- Theaters: November 28 (Black Friday)
Poster drop
The official poster just debuted via a GamesRadar+ exclusive. No spoilers from the art here, but the vibe tracks with the story’s crow-in-the-corners menace.
Meanwhile in the MCU rumor mill...
Cumberbatch is being whispered about for a return as Doctor Strange in Avengers: Doomsday and the follow-up Avengers: Secret Wars. Nothing official yet. Kevin Feige did say more cast will be added beyond the names already announced, so Strange has a decent shot at flying back in — but we’re waiting for actual confirmation.