Trailer for Finally Dawn Drops: A Lush, Noir-Infused Tale Set in 1950s Rome

Samuel Goldwyn Films has unveiled the evocative first trailer for Finally Dawn, a richly atmospheric drama written and directed by Saverio Costanzo (My Brilliant Friend), set against the glamorous yet shadowy backdrop of 1953 Rome. Slated for release on July 18, 2025, the film boasts a star-studded international cast including Lily James, Willem Dafoe, Rachel Sennott, Joe Keery, Alba Rohrwacher, Michele Bravi, and newcomer Rebecca Antonaci.

 

At the heart of the story is Mimosa (Antonaci), a modest Roman girl whose mundane life takes a sudden, surreal turn when she visits Cinecittà Studios to audition as an extra in a lavish sword-and-sandal epic set in ancient Egypt. What was supposed to be a brief encounter with the world of cinema becomes a wild and transformative journey through a single night, just hours after the real-life scandalous murder of Wilma Montesi, which rocked Italy’s high society.

 

Among the film’s colorful ensemble is Josephine Esperanto (Lily James), a fading Hollywood diva clinging to stardom and increasingly threatened by the rise of “real” actors, including her co-star Sean Lockwood, played by Joe Keery. Willem Dafoe steps into the role of Rufus Priori, a charismatic American art dealer and Josephine’s confidant, who becomes the unlikely guide through Rome’s glamorous but morally ambiguous underworld.

 

Blending historical intrigue, film-industry satire, and coming-of-age drama, Finally Dawn explores identity, illusion, and liberation under the golden lights and long shadows of postwar Italy. With lush cinematography and a mood steeped in both classic Hollywood and European arthouse, the film looks poised to be a visual and emotional standout of the summer.

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