Joel Edgerton Tries Not To Catch THE PLAGUE In New Trailer For Social Anxiety Thriller

Swimming classes are bad enough without your fellow kids ostracizing you, which is the exact situation the anxiety-inducing new trailer for The Plague drops us in today.

From director Charlie Polinger, in his feature debut, The Plague stars Joel Edgerton (The Gift, It Comes at Night) and Everett Blunck (Griffin in Summer), and hits theaters wide on January 2, 2026 via Independent Film Company, with preview screenings in Los Angeles and New York on December 24.

In The Plague:

At an all-boys water polo camp, a socially anxious twelve-year-old is pulled into a cruel tradition targeting an outcast with an illness they call “The Plague.” But as the lines between game and reality blur, he fears the joke might be hiding something real.

Kayo Martin and Kenny Rasmussen also star.

Following its World Premiere at Cannes earlier this year, The Plague has enjoyed a buzzy festival run, showing at Fantastic Fest, Sitges, Chicago International Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival and more. Brat superstar Charli XCX is already a fan, as are critics, with the thriller currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Edgerton had the following glowing statement to say about his time catching, err, working on The Plague:

From script to completion this film has always had a very strong vision. Charlie Polinger is a filmmaker with a great future ahead. I’m proud to have been part of his first film along with these incredible producers and companies.

Watch the new trailer for The Plague below.