Full Breakdown
Angelina Jolie’s “Without Blood” Secures U.S. Distribution and Sets September 2026 Release
7/14/2026, 12:14:47 AM
Core Event: Acquisition and Release Plan
Brainstorm Media has acquired U.S. rights to *Without Blood*, the latest feature directed and produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Angelina Jolie. The distributor will launch the war drama in U.S. theatres nationwide on Sept. 18 2026. The film, a co-production between Fremantle North America, The Apartment (a Fremantle company), Jolie Productions, and De Maio Entertainment, premiered in the Special Presentations section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Background & Context: Jolie’s Ongoing Exploration of War
*Without Blood* adapts Alessandro Baricco’s internationally acclaimed novel of the same name, with the screenplay co-written by Baricco and Jolie. The story is set in the aftermath of an unnamed conflict and examines “universal truths about war, trauma, memory and healing.” Jolie’s previous directorial efforts on similar themes include *In the Land of Blood and Honey*, *Unbroken*, and *First They Killed My Father*.
Key Figures & Groups
- Angelina Jolie – Director, producer, and co-screenwriter.
- Alessandro Baricco – Novelist and co-screenwriter.
- Salma Hayek Pinault – Lead actress, praised the director’s “emotional intelligence and searing sensitivity.”
- Demián Bichir – Co-lead actor.
- Juan Minujín, Andrés Delgado, Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Patricio José, Nika Perrone – Supporting cast.
- Brainstorm Media – U.S. distributor; CEO Michelle Shwarzstein.
- Fremantle – Co-producer; Group COO and CEO of Continental Europe Andrea Scrosati.
- Creative Artists Agency – Sales representative; FilmNation Entertainment – Handles international sales outside the U.S. and Italy.
Data & Statistics
- World premiere: 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (Special Presentations).
- U.S. theatrical release: Sept. 18, 2026.
- Production partners: Fremantle North America, The Apartment, Jolie Productions, De Maio Entertainment.
Official Statements & Responses
Jolie emphasized the film’s intent to spark dialogue about trauma, noting the cast’s “extraordinary” emotional intimacy. Hayek Pinault described directing under Jolie as “profoundly enriching,” highlighting the film’s focus on how personal wounds shape identity and resilience. Brainstorm CEO Michelle Shwarzstein framed the project as a “cinematic plea for empathy and understanding” that feels especially relevant today. Fremantle’s Andrea Scrosati called the film a showcase of what can be achieved through “creative freedom and partnerships,” expressing enthusiasm for bringing it to U.S. audiences.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Alessandro Baricco’s ‘Without Blood’ examines universal truths about trauma, memory and healing,” — Angelina Jolie
- “ Furthermore, Hayek also commented on working with her Eternals co-star as her director, “Having the opportunity to be directed by Angelina Jolie in ‘Without Blood’ was a profoundly enriching experience.” — Salma Hayek Pinault
- “Angelina Jolie has crafted, through a revenge western lens, a nuanced and unflinching acknowledgement of the human cost of war,” — Michelle Shwarzstein
- “Without Blood is a prime example of what can be achieved when we embrace creative freedom and partnerships.” — Andrea Scrosati
What’s Next
Brainstorm Media plans a nationwide theatrical rollout beginning on Sept. 18, 2026, followed by standard post-theatrical windows. No additional dates or ancillary events have been announced.
