Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont is set to return to the Cannes Film Festival with his latest project Coward, a gripping period drama centered on the emotional and psychological struggles of soldiers during the First World War. A newly released first-look image has offered audiences an early glimpse into the film, building anticipation ahead of its official competition screening at Cannes 2026.
The film follows Pierre, a young Belgian soldier caught in the harsh realities of trench warfare. As he navigates the fine line between fear and bravery, the story explores themes of survival, internal conflict and the human cost of war. Behind the battlefront, Pierre encounters Francis, a character tasked with lifting the morale of troops, adding another emotional layer to the narrative.
Described by Dhont as his most ambitious work to date, Coward delves into contrasting ideas of love and loss creation and destruction, and the resilience of the human spirit even in the darkest circumstances. The director has emphasized that the film is a tribute to those who were sent into battle as well as those who resisted or struggled to face it.
This marks Dhont’s third appearance in the Cannes competition following the success of Girl in 2018, which won the Camera d’Or, and Close in 2022, which received the Grand Prix. With Coward, he ventures into historical storytelling for the first time, expanding his cinematic scope.
The project reunites Dhont with his long-time collaborator Angelo Tijssens, who co-wrote the screenplay. Production is led by Michiel Dhont under the Reunion production banner, alongside several international partners including Lumen Topkapi Films and Versus.
The film is a collaborative European production with contributions from major broadcasters and studios such as France 2 Cinéma VTM RTBF Proximus and Orange. Distribution will be handled by Lumière in the Benelux region and Diaphana Distribution in France while international sales are managed by The Match Factory.
With its strong creative team compelling storyline and Cannes pedigree Coward is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films at the 2026 festival.