News of the World

The 2020 American Western drama film directed by Paul Greengrass, co-written with Luke Davies, is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles. Set in 1870 Texas, the story follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a Civil War veteran who earns a living traveling from town to town, reading newspaper stories to local residents for ten cents per person. During one of his journeys, he encounters an overturned wagon, a lynched Black freedman, and a ten-year-old girl named Johanna Leonberger (Helena Zengel), dressed in Kiowa attire and speaking only their language. It is revealed that Johanna was abducted by the Kiowa six years prior and raised by them after her parents were killed. Kidd takes on the responsibility of returning her to her only remaining relatives—Aunt Anna (Winsome Brown) and Uncle Wilhelm (Neil Sandilands) in Castroville, located 400 miles away. Throughout their journey, they face numerous challenges, including an attempted abduction of Johanna by former Confederate soldiers and an encounter with the tyrannical cattle baron Farley (Tom Astor), who has seized control of a county. Kidd and Johanna also endure a sandstorm, the loss of their wagon and horses, and are forced to continue on foot. Upon reaching Castroville, Kidd leaves Johanna with her relatives but, realizing she has become like a daughter to him, returns to bring her back with him. The film received positive reviews from critics, praising the performances of Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel, the cinematography, and James Newton Howard's musical score. It was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Production Design. Helena Zengel also received nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The film had a budget of $38 million and grossed $12.7 million worldwide. It was released theatrically in the United States on December 25, 2020, and internationally via Netflix on February 10, 2021.