Onwards and Sideways Trailer Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney Lead a Moving Parkinsons Comedy

The first official trailer for Onwards and Sideways has arrived, offering a warm, funny and unexpectedly moving look at a new British romantic comedy about two strangers brought together by an extraordinary circumstance. Starring Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney, the film follows two people whose lives are suddenly turned upside down after they are both diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Rather than turning the story into a purely heavy drama, the film appears to find humour, romance and hope in the middle of an incredibly difficult new chapter.

Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker John Madden, Onwards and Sideways centres on Tony, played by Rhys Ifans, a schoolteacher, and Emma, portrayed by Laura Linney, a composer and piano teacher. Both live busy but comfortable lives in a picturesque East Anglia village before receiving the diagnosis that changes everything. They first meet in the lounge of a health clinic just minutes after receiving the news, creating an unusual introduction that quickly develops into a friendship built on honesty, shared experiences and a very particular sense of humour.

The trailer gives a glimpse at the different ways Tony and Emma choose to deal with their diagnosis. Emma, who experiences a tremor, even gives herself the cheeky nickname "Emma with the tremma" and decides she wants to raise awareness about Parkinson's. Tony takes the opposite approach, preferring to keep his condition private because he fears it could put his teaching career at risk. Their contrasting personalities create plenty of opportunities for both comedy and conflict, while also making their growing connection feel refreshingly human.

As the story moves forward, Tony and Emma's lives begin to overlap more and more, particularly through a Parkinson's ballet class where they discover a supportive community. What begins as two people comparing symptoms and strategies gradually turns into something much deeper. With both characters facing the uncertainty of a neurologist's prediction of "five good years", Onwards and Sideways appears to explore how love and friendship can emerge in unexpected places, even when life refuses to follow the plan.

The film also features Monica Dolan and Rory Kinnear, adding further strength to an already impressive British cast. The screenplay comes from Paul Mayhew-Archer, whose work helps give the story its balance of emotional honesty and gentle humour. With John Madden behind the camera, the film looks set to avoid easy sentimentality, instead focusing on the personalities, frustrations, jokes and small victories that make Tony and Emma's journey feel personal and relatable.

Onwards and Sideways is shaping up to be a life-affirming romantic comedy with plenty of heart beneath its lighter moments. The combination of Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney gives the film a compelling central pairing, while its approach to Parkinson's promises to bring an important subject into a story about connection rather than simply illness. The film is scheduled for release in the UK on November 6, 2026, giving audiences a chance to experience what could be one of the year's most heartfelt and unconventional romantic comedies.

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