New Movie Finding Emily: First Look Images and Official Trailer

Film Feature by Chris Olson

There is something quintessentially British about a high-concept romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a university campus. It is a sub-genre that, when handled with the right balance of wit and sincerity, can capture the messy, exhilarating transition into adulthood like nothing else. This week, Focus Features and Working Title have pulled back the curtain on their latest collaboration, Finding Emily, and if the first-look images are anything to go by, we are in for a treat.

Finding Emily Official Trailer

Directed by Alicia MacDonald, who makes her feature film directorial debut here, Finding Emily (originally developed under the working title CC: Emily) looks to be a vibrant addition to the UK's rich history of rom-coms. MacDonald is a filmmaker whose star has been steadily rising in the television world.

Having helmed episodes of the dark comedy Pure and the acerbic Flack, as well as the second series of Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws, she has proven she has a keen eye for character-driven comedy and sharp, visual storytelling.

The premise of the film is a classic "meet-cute" with a modern, chaotic twist. When Owen (played by Spike Fearn), a lovesick and somewhat disorganised musician, believes he has finally secured the number of the girl of his dreams, he thinks his luck has turned. In reality, he has been given the wrong digits.

Desperate to track down the mystery woman, Owen finds an unlikely ally in Emily (played by Angourie Rice), a driven and hyper-focused psychology student. What starts as a simple search quickly spirals into a campus-wide frenzy. As the two navigate the social minefields of university life, their mission to find "the one" begins to test their own hearts and professional ambitions. It is a narrative setup that feels ripe for the kind of situational comedy and emotional payoff that Working Title—the powerhouse behind Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary—is famous for.

Actor Angourie Rice, director Alicia MacDonald and actor Amber Grappy on the set of their film, FINDING EMILY, a Focus Features release..Credit: Matt Squire / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

The newly released images offer us a glimpse into the aesthetic world MacDonald has crafted. In the first behind-the-scenes shot, we see Angourie Rice and Amber Grappy in conversation with MacDonald on set. The setting appears to be a formal event, perhaps a university ball, given the elegant, dotted evening gown worn by Rice. There is a warmth to the lighting that suggests the film will lean into a lush, cinematic look while maintaining the grounded feel of a British production.

Angourie Rice has quickly become one of the most dependable young actors working today. From her breakout role in The Nice Guys to her recent turn as Cady Heron in the Mean Girls musical, she possesses a natural charisma and intelligence that makes her perfectly cast as a "driven psychology student." Opposite her, Spike Fearn is an actor whose momentum is impossible to ignore. After a standout performance in Alien: Romulus, Fearn seems to be embracing a very different kind of role here—trading sci-fi terror for the vulnerability of a romantic lead.

Spike Fearn stars as Owen and Angourie Rice as Emily in director Alicia MacDonald’s FINDING EMILY, a Focus Features release...Credit: Matt Squire / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC..

The second image provides a more intimate look at the lead duo. Owen and Emily are pictured together at what looks like a pub or a student bar, illuminated by fairy lights. The chemistry between Fearn and Rice is palpable even in a still frame; there is a sense of shared wonder and perhaps a hint of the "frenzy" mentioned in the synopsis.

The film is written by Rachel Hirons, whose previous credits include A Guide to Second Date Sex and Powder Room. Hirons has a knack for capturing the awkwardness of modern romance, and her voice feels like a natural fit for this project.

The production pedigree is equally impressive. Produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title alongside Olivier Kaempfer for Parkville Pictures, Finding Emily has the backing of a team that understands the global appeal of a British rom-com. The cinematography is handled by Rachel Clark, whose work here appears to embrace the architectural beauty of the film's Manchester filming locations, giving the campus setting a grand yet accessible feel.

"Together, they spark a hilarious campus-wide frenzy that tests their own hearts and ambitions along the way." — Official Synopsis

Finding Emily Release Information

For those of us in the UK, the wait won't be much longer. Focus Features has confirmed that Finding Emily is set to arrive in UK cinemas on 22nd May 2026. This late-spring release date suggests the studio has high confidence in the film as a "feel-good" hit for the season. Interestingly, the US release follows a few months later in August, positioning it as a late-summer highlight for international audiences.

As the official trailer begins to circulate, the buzz on social media is already building. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by franchises and blockbusters, there is something refreshing about a mid-budget, character-led comedy that simply wants to tell a story about two people trying to find their way.

Finding Emily looks set to be a charming, witty, and heart-swelling journey through the highs and lows of young love. Keep an eye out for more coverage as we approach the May release date.