What Queen at Sea is about
The film centers on Amanda, a middle-aged woman grappling with her mother's advancing dementia. Concerned about her aging parent's deteriorating condition, Amanda makes the difficult decision to uproot her life — and her teenage daughter — back to London to take on the role of primary caregiver. It's the kind of premise that doesn't require explosions or plot twists. Just the weight of family obligation, the friction between generations, and the slow erosion of someone you love.
Lance Hammer's second feature
Director Lance Hammer hasn't made a film since 2008's Ballast, a spare, meditative work that announced him as a filmmaker interested in quiet suffering and moral ambiguity. According to Wikipedia, Queen at Sea is his long-awaited return to feature filmmaking — eighteen years later. The production brought together The Bureau, Alluvial Film Company, and MIAO Productions, with cinematographer Adolpho Veloso shooting on 35mm, a choice that suggests Hammer's commitment to a tactile, unhurried visual language.
The ensemble is formidable. Binoche — who doesn't need introduction — plays Amanda opposite Sir Tom Courtenay as Martin, with Anna Calder-Marshall, Florence Hunt, Cody Molko, and Steven Cree rounding out the cast. These aren't names you cast for box-office appeal. They're names you cast when you care about depth.
Why anticipate it now
What's striking is the gap between Hammer's films. Eighteen years. That kind of absence either means a director's lost their voice, or they've been living — really living — and have something genuinely worth saying when they return. Ballast earned him serious attention; Queen at Sea arrives with the weight of that expectation, but also with the freedom of someone who's had nearly two decades to think about what family, mortality, and obligation actually mean.
The film screened in main competition at Berlin in February 2026, which tells you something about how the festival circuit views it. Not a sidebar, not a special screening — main competition. Rotten Tomatoes and other aggregators are already tracking it, though public response remains limited ahead of its wider release.
What's harder to know right now — honestly — is whether Hammer's sensibility will resonate with viewers expecting something more immediate, more dramatic. The premise is heavy, but his approach, based on his track record, won't be. That's either the film's greatest strength or its most significant barrier to a broad audience.
Release date and streaming
Queen at Sea premiered February 17, 2026, at the Berlin International Film Festival. It's expected to roll out to cinemas throughout 2026, with Curzon Film handling UK distribution and The Match Factory managing international sales.
As for streaming and OTT availability — that hasn't been announced yet. Movie OTT will track where the film lands as rights are confirmed across regions. Check the where-to-watch widget below for updates as they're released.
Frequently asked questions
When is Queen at Sea releasing? The film premiered at Berlin in February 2026 and is expected to arrive in cinemas throughout 2026. Specific regional release dates will vary — check your local listings.
Is Queen at Sea out yet? Not in wide release. It's had its festival premiere, but general theatrical availability is still forthcoming.
Where will I be able to watch Queen at Sea? Streaming and OTT availability haven't been confirmed yet. Movie OTT will update this page as distribution rights are announced for different platforms and regions.
Who directed Queen at Sea? Lance Hammer wrote and directed the film. It's his second feature after Ballast (2008).
What's the runtime? 121 minutes — just over two hours.
What to look forward to
Hammer's return after nearly two decades is reason enough to pay attention. Add Binoche's presence, a subject matter that doesn't flinch from the messy reality of aging and family caregiving, and you've got something that feels genuinely necessary — not manufactured for awards season, but made because the filmmaker had to make it. That's rare. Watch for it.