Karma: A Woman's Reckoning
The premise
Jeanne is trying to start over. She's living quietly in a village in northern Spain with Daniel, a man who doesn't know her history—and crucially, doesn't need to. But when her six-year-old godson Mateo vanishes, the fragile life she's built collapses overnight. Suspected by police, she does what she's learned to do best: she runs. Her refuge? The religious community where she was born, the very place she once fled. It's a return that promises to expose the very things she's spent years burying.
What's striking is the setup itself. A woman running toward the one place that might destroy her—that's not escape, that's desperation wearing a different mask.
What we know so far
According to Wikipedia, Karma is directed and co-written by Guillaume Canet, the French filmmaker behind acclaimed thrillers and dramas. The cast includes Marion Cotillard (Jeanne), Leonardo Sbaraglia (Daniel), Denis Ménochet (Marc), and Luis Zahera (Vasquez). The film is produced by Iconoclast and Caneo Films, with Pathé handling distribution in France.
Production began in February 2025 across Catalonia and southern France—locations like El Port de la Selva, La Selva de Mar, and the Lot region—before wrapping in May 2025. The finished film runs 149 minutes and is in French. Pathé released a teaser ahead of the Cannes premiere, giving the first real glimpse of Canet's new work with Cotillard.
Why anticipation matters
Canet's track record speaks for itself—he's a director who doesn't do small stories. Pairing him with Cotillard, an actor who thrives in morally complex roles, suggests something ambitious here. The premise—a woman with a hidden past becoming entangled in a child's disappearance—isn't new territory for thrillers, but the emotional weight of that setup, combined with the religious community angle, hints at something more layered than a simple whodunit. And honestly, there's something magnetic about watching a filmmaker return to the psychological thriller space after the time away Canet's had. You wonder what he's learned, what he's trying to say.
Release date and where to watch
Karma had its world premiere out of competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2026. A French theatrical release is scheduled for October 21, 2026 (subject to change). It's not yet available on any streaming platform—the film hasn't been released to the general public. Streaming rights and international distribution haven't been announced. Movie OTT will track availability across all platforms as deals are confirmed, so check back here for updates on where you'll be able to watch it.
Use the Where-to-Watch widget to stay notified the moment Karma becomes available in your region.
Frequently asked questions
When is Karma releasing?
Karma is scheduled for a French theatrical release on October 21, 2026. It premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2026. International release dates haven't been announced yet.
Is Karma out yet?
No. As of now, the film hasn't been released to the public. It's expected to arrive in theaters in October 2026.
Where will I be able to watch Karma?
Streaming availability hasn't been confirmed. Once Pathé and the production companies announce distribution deals with streaming platforms, Movie OTT will have that information. For now, a theatrical release in France is the plan.
Who's in Karma?
The cast includes Marion Cotillard, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Denis Ménochet, and Luis Zahera. Guillaume Canet directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Jacquet.
How long is Karma?
The film runs 149 minutes (just under 2.5 hours), making it a substantial psychological thriller.
What to look forward to
Karma arrives in 2026 as one of the year's more intriguing European thrillers. A woman running from her past, a missing child, a religious community hiding its own secrets—these elements suggest a film interested in guilt, redemption, and what we owe to the people we've hurt. That's not lightweight stuff. Canet and Cotillard aren't known for making easy films, and this one doesn't sound like an exception. Keep it on your radar.
