Alexander Skarsgård has been announced to star in the upcoming gothic horror film The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands, directed by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén. The movie, currently in production, follows a British widower in the 1880s Pacific Northwest who hires a Native American governess for his daughters, leading to supernatural awakenings. It marks Mesén's English-language debut and is set for release in May 2026.
Project Overview
Alexander Skarsgård's next role comes in The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands, a gothic horror film that blends intimate character work with magic realism. Directed by Swedish-Costa Rican filmmaker Nathalie Álvarez Mesén, the project is her English-language debut and follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2021 drama Clara Sola. Co-written by Mesén and Icelandic screenwriter Sjón—known for credits on The Northman and Lamb—the story is set in the 1880s Pacific Northwest.
Skarsgård portrays a British widower who hires a Native American governess, played by Darla Contois, to educate his two daughters, portrayed by Bronte Carmichael and Lily La Torre. As the governess prepares the eldest daughter for an arranged marriage, a mysterious force begins to awaken within her, challenging the teachings of her Christian mission school upbringing. The film also features Forrest Goodluck and Pernilla August in the cast.
Production Details
Filming is underway primarily in Belfast, Northern Ireland, selected for its visual resemblance to the Pacific Northwest setting. The narrative explores themes of breaking free from patriarchal structures and decolonizing the body, incorporating mythological, psychological, and coming-of-age elements into a darker period world.
Director Nathalie Álvarez Mesén shared her enthusiasm in a statement to Variety: “I feel incredibly lucky to work with a cast who dive into their roles with such generosity, playfulness, and openness. Collaborating with such a talented group of people from all around the world has been a privilege.” She added specifically about the leads: “Darla embodies Isabel with visceral emotional depth, and Alexander portrays the father with a truth and volatility that ground the story. I can’t wait for the film to reach audiences!”
This role follows Skarsgård's recent performance in the queer drama Pillion, where he played a biker gang leader opposite Harry Melling. The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands is slated for a May 2026 release.