.png)
Empire of Lies
The arrival of the trailer for Empire of Lies signals a compelling shift for director Matthew Hope. Known for the gritty, tactical pacing of The Veteran and All the Devil’s Men, Hope appears to have traded the high-stakes battlefield for the claustrophobic confines of an interrogation room. This first look suggests a film that is less about external conflict and more about the corrosive nature of grief and institutional distrust.
Produced by Magus Films, the project marks a significant milestone as their debut UK theatrical and digital release, scheduled for 27th March.
The trailer introduces us to David "Dave" Harris, portrayed by the versatile Joseph Millson. Harris is a man living on the fringes, haunted by the unresolved murder of his daughter. What begins as a standard interview quickly descends into a psychological tug-of-war.
Millson, a veteran of high-octane productions like Casino Royale and The Last Kingdom, seems to be operating at a different frequency here.
Matthew Hope’s signature exploration of paranoia remains intact, but the aesthetic has evolved. The trailer leans into a "two-hander" structure, focusing heavily on the dialogue and the mounting tension between Harris and his interrogator. It is a more intimate, performance-led approach that prioritises psychological depth over traditional action beats.
By partnering with international sales agent Exit 44 Entertainment, Magus Films is clearly positioning this as a high-calibre independent feature with global appeal. If the trailer is any indication, Empire of Lies will be a somber, thought-provoking examination of where truth ends and self-deception begins.
Empire of Lies arrives in UK cinemas and on digital platforms on 27th March 2026.
