A Breed Apart (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Set in 1850s Canada, A Breed Apart follows an English cattle breeder and his 9-year-old son as they attempt to build a new life while struggling to reconnect. The historical drama is written and directed by Adam Belanger and David Lafontaine, with Joshua Close and Isaac Highams leading the cast.

A Breed Apart is a Canadian historical drama set in the 1850s, centered on an English cattle breeder and his 9-year-old son. After settling in Canada, the pair face the personal difficulty of trying to reconnect while adjusting to their new surroundings.

Written and directed by Adam Belanger and David Lafontaine, the film has a 2-hour, 11-minute runtime. Joshua Close plays Sydney Tompkins, with Isaac Highams as his son, Emmett Tompkins.

A Breed Apart movie details

Story without spoilers

The story follows Sydney Tompkins, an English cattle breeder who has moved to 1850s Canada with his 9-year-old son, Emmett. As they settle into a different country and way of life, father and son struggle to restore their connection. The supplied premise places their relationship at the center of the film without revealing how their story develops.

What to expect

A Breed Apart is identified as a drama with a historical setting in 1850s Canada. Its premise points to a character-focused story about family, relocation and the challenges of rebuilding a bond between a father and his young son. The cattle-breeding background and Canadian setting provide the film’s period context.

Cast and creative team

Joshua Close leads the cast as Sydney Tompkins, while Isaac Highams plays his 9-year-old son, Emmett Tompkins. The supporting cast includes Simon Webster as Oscar Pender, Charlie Storey as Beth Pender, Krista Bridges as Clara Pender, Michael Hough as James Cromwell, Stuart Hughes as Thomas Pender, Camille Stopps as Ophelia Tompkins, James Gilbert as Douglas Spencer and Scott Edgecombe as Jacob Ward.

Adam Belanger and David Lafontaine wrote and directed the film. They are also credited as its directors.

• Joshua Close as Sydney Tompkins
• Isaac Highams as Emmett Tompkins
• Simon Webster as Oscar Pender
• Charlie Storey as Beth Pender
• Krista Bridges as Clara Pender
• Michael Hough as James Cromwell
• Stuart Hughes as Thomas Pender
• Camille Stopps as Ophelia Tompkins
• James Gilbert as Douglas Spencer
• Scott Edgecombe as Jacob Ward

Release and production context

A Breed Apart is a 2026 Canadian production from Gearshift Films and Armenta Films Inc. It is listed with a release date of October 9, 2026, and a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes. The film’s spoken language is English, and its listed status is Released.

Production companies: Gearshift Films, Armenta Films Inc.

Reported production figures:
Budget $2,558,342

Movies Dock view

With its 1850s Canadian setting and focus on a father and son facing a difficult transition, A Breed Apart is framed as a personal drama shaped by family strain and the experience of settling in a new country. Its extended runtime gives the central relationship room to anchor the story.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb