Midwinter Break Trailer Unveils a Tender Tale of Love, Loss, and Amsterdam’s Winter Glow

Focus Features has unveiled the official trailer for Midwinter Break, a heartfelt adaptation of Bernard MacLaverty’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The film promises a stirring, emotional journey—part travelogue, part love letter, part reckoning—as it follows a longtime couple facing a quiet crisis amid the wintry charm of Amsterdam.

The story centers on Stella and Gerry, played by the incomparable duo Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds. What begins as a simple midwinter vacation soon reveals hidden fractures in their decades-long marriage. As snow settles over canals and old streets, the couple finds themselves navigating not just a foreign city but the delicate terrain of love, faith, and commitment. The trailer hints at soft heartbreak, unspoken truths, and the kind of intimacy only years of shared life can build—or unravel.

Joining the leads are Julie Lamberton and Ed Sayer, rounding out an ensemble grounded in warmth and emotional depth. Under the direction of Polly Findlay, the film appears to embrace the novel’s introspective tone, with a screenplay by Nick Payne that balances subtle humor with aching vulnerability. Hannah Peel’s musical score drapes the visuals in a gentle, wintry glow, adding to the film’s contemplative atmosphere.

Amsterdam itself emerges as a quiet character—its fog, art-filled corners, and muted sunsets mirroring the couple’s internal landscape. The trailer teases scenes of reflection, revelation, and a journey that may alter Stella and Gerry’s relationship forever.

Slated for release on February 20, 2026, Midwinter Break looks poised to deliver a tender meditation on aging, partnership, and the elusive, enduring power of love.