Buildings Fall

Clio Barnard's new film explores the disillusionment of young British people with the current state of the country. The film follows five childhood friends as they navigate their 30s and confront their unfulfilled dreams.

Dir: Clio Barnard

Cast: Anthony Boyle, Lola Petticrew, Joe Cole, Daryl McCormack, Jay Lycurgo, Millie Brady, Lucie Shorthouse, James Eeles

109 mins · 2026 · United Kingdom, United States of America · Cert 15 · English

IMDb 6.6/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 95% · Metacritic 77/100

Awards: 2 wins total

I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

4 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027

Duke of York's Picturehouse (Brighton)

Clio Barnard, known for her thought-provoking films, has directed a new drama that delves into the lives of five childhood friends struggling to come to terms with their unfulfilled dreams. • The film, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, stars Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack, and Lola Petticrew as the five friends. • It explores the disillusionment of young British people with the current state of the country's socio-political and economic landscape, showcasing the strength and necessity of friendship, love, and found family. • The film has received generally favorable reviews, with a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 on Metacritic.

The film will be screened at the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton from Wednesday, 4 November 2026, until Sunday, 3 January 2027. Tickets are with the button beside the article. I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning is a 109-minute drama film rated 15, and it has won two awards. The film's exploration of the struggles of working-class residents in Birmingham, particularly in the context of the UK housing crisis, makes it a timely and thought-provoking watch.

Stills

What viewers say

Brent Marchant · 6/10

For many of us (especially those under 30), the expectation of being able to afford a reasonably comfortable life is slipping away, ironically, and all too regrettably, becoming little more than a dream in a very real sense. It’s a change that seems to be occurring worldwide, too, as economic disparity continues to take root around the globe. And one locale in which that trend has been occurring is Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK.…

Read on TMDB

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