Entertainment · Film · 7 hrs ago
Rob Lowe and James Franco star in Stalin-era drama Confession
Confession follows Alexei, a former literature professor arrested in 1938 Moscow.
He is taken to Lubyanka Prison and accused of helping a dissident Orthodox priest publish anti-Soviet pamphlets.
His interrogator is Vladimir, a former student played by James Franco, while Rob Lowe plays Alexei.
Vladimir tries to make Alexei sign a confession, using threats and offers to reunite him with his estranged family.
The story is set during Stalin-era Soviet rule, when Alexei faces brutal pressure in prison.
The two reviews call the film slow and weighed down by dialogue, though one says the actors create emotional moments.
The film had a one-night theatrical release on November 11 and became available the same day on The Daily Wire’s streaming service.
Rob Lowe and James Franco star in Confession, a drama set in Stalin-era Russia.
Lowe plays Alexei, a former literature professor arrested in Moscow in 1938 and taken to Lubyanka Prison.
Franco plays Vladimir, Alexei’s former student, who interrogates him and presses him to confess to helping a dissident priest.
Václav Marhoul directed the film, which was scripted by Ben Shapiro.
The film was scheduled for a one-night theatrical release on November 11, 2026, and a same-day release on The Daily Wire’s streaming service.
- Who
- Rob Lowe and James Franco star. The cast also includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Nick Nolte.
- What
- Confession is a drama about a former professor interrogated in Stalin-era Russia.
- When
- The film was scheduled for release on November 11, 2026.
- Where
- The story is set in Moscow, including Lubyanka Prison.
- Why
- Alexei is accused of helping a dissident Eastern Orthodox priest publish pamphlets critical of the Soviet system.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Hollywood Reporter published its review of Confession.
The film was scheduled for a one-night theatrical release and availability on The Daily Wire’s streaming service.
Variety published its review of the film.
- Director
- Václav Marhoul
- Screenwriter
- Ben Shapiro
- Setting
- Moscow, 1938
- Prison
- Lubyanka Prison
- Theatrical release
- November 11, 2026
3 sources
Rob Lowe’s Daily Wire drama Confession splits critics: ‘Masterpiece’ or ‘Tedious’?
‘Confession’ Review: Rob Lowe and James Franco Add Some Spark to Václav Marhoul’s Deliberately Paced, Sluggishly Talky Drama
‘Confession’ Review: Rob Lowe and James Franco in a Ben Shapiro-Scripted, Stalinist Russia-Set Drama That’s Terminally Tedious
What people are saying
Damn you and your literary references
Evil and good are luxuries the Revolution can no longer afford!