Coward (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Set during the First World War, Coward follows Pierre, a young Belgian soldier determined to prove himself, and Francis, who is tasked with finding a way to raise morale behind the frontlines. Lukas Dhont directs this Belgian, French and Dutch drama-romance, written with Angelo Tijssens.

Coward is a 2026 drama, romance and war film directed by Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont. Set during the First World War, it centers on Pierre, a young Belgian soldier eager to demonstrate his courage on the battlefield.

Away from the front, Pierre encounters Francis, who has been asked to help improve morale. The film brings their two situations together within a wartime setting shaped by duty, fear and personal connection, while keeping its focus on the people behind the historical conflict.

Coward movie details

Story without spoilers

Pierre is a young Belgian soldier serving during the First World War. Wanting to prove himself, he looks toward the battlefield as a test of his bravery. Behind the frontlines, he meets Francis, who has been given the difficult task of finding a way to boost morale.

That meeting forms the basis of Coward’s story. The supplied premise places the film between military experience and life away from direct combat, with Pierre and Francis connected by the pressures of wartime. The narrative also introduces a broader group of soldiers and service members, including Jozef Stevens, Jacobs, Blanckaert, Gustaaf Cooreman, Jozef, Thomas, Rik and Arthur.

What to expect

Coward is identified as a drama, romance and war film, so viewers can expect a story that combines a First World War setting with personal and emotional elements. Its premise contrasts Pierre’s desire to prove himself in combat with Francis’s effort to lift morale behind the lines.

The film is set in a Belgian wartime context and uses both Dutch and French. The available details point to an intimate character-focused account rather than a purely military overview, although the supplied information does not describe its specific battle scenes, tone or visual approach.

Cast and creative team

Emmanuel Macchia plays Pierre, with Valentin Campagne as Francis. The cast also includes Jef Jacobs as Jozef Stevens, Willem De Schryver as Jacobs, Liam Jacqmin as Blanckaert, Mistral Guidotti as Gustaaf Cooreman, Jonas Wertz as Jozef, Boris Bouchat as Thomas, Orlando Vauthier as Rik and Tuur Verelst as Arthur.

Lukas Dhont directs Coward and co-wrote the screenplay with Angelo Tijssens.

• Emmanuel Macchia as Pierre
• Valentin Campagne as Francis
• Jef Jacobs as Jozef Stevens
• Willem De Schryver as Jacobs
• Liam Jacqmin as Blanckaert
• Mistral Guidotti as Gustaaf Cooreman
• Jonas Wertz as Jozef
• Boris Bouchat as Thomas
• Orlando Vauthier as Rik
• Tuur Verelst as Arthur

Release and production context

Coward is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of October 21, 2026. It has a runtime of two hours and is listed as released. The film is associated with Belgium, France and the Netherlands, and its spoken languages are Dutch and French.

Its production companies are The Reunion, Versus Production, Topkapi Films, France 2 Cinéma, Lumen, VTM, RTBF and Proximus. The supplied genre information identifies it as a drama, romance and war film, with the First World War as its central historical setting.

Production companies: The Reunion, Versus Production, Topkapi Films, France 2 Cinéma, Lumen, VTM, RTBF, Proximus

Coward official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its First World War setting and dual focus on a soldier seeking recognition and a man working behind the frontlines, Coward is positioned as a war drama with a romantic element. Its Belgian, French and Dutch production context and bilingual setting give the story a specific regional identity, while the available premise keeps the emphasis on Pierre and Francis.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb