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The Fence

Play trailer Poster for The Fence Aug 2026 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 24 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A vast public works project in West Africa. Horn, the construction site manager, and Cal, a young engineer, share lodging behind the double gates of their compound. Leone, Horn's recent bride, comes to join them the same night that a man appears at the fence. His name is Alboury. Like a specter in the darkness, he demands the body of his brother who died earlier that day on the site. He will hound the two men all night long until they return it, as Leone watches the disaster play out before her.
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The Fence

Critics Reviews

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Guy Lodge Variety Sep 26
Both something old from her and something a bit new, “The Fence” isn’t a major Denis work: Its gear changes from arch, theatrical parable to supple mood piece aren’t smooth ones. But it gnaws steadily away at you. Go to Full Review Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Sep 13
Strong performances help give it a bit of form, but it doesn’t help that it also feels like a project with themes Denis has better explored in other projects. Go to Full Review Vikram Murthi IndieWire Sep 11
B-
Brooding sensuality courses through the atmosphere in “The Fence,” which partially compensates for the film’s stilted staging and clumsy, thesis-underlining dialogue. Go to Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue 5d
Characters are divided by more than the titular barrier in this mildly provocative but coldly restrained stage adaptation. Go to Full Review Will Bjarnar InSession Film Dec 19
B-
The Fence somehow manages to be less successful than each of these previous three projects while being significantly more interesting at the same time. Go to Full Review Alex Heeney Seventh Row Nov 25
Tensions rise, secrets are kept and unfolded, and the white men are in a complicated game of exploitation, perhaps even of each other. Blyth and McKenna-Bruce are key standouts in this very strong and seasoned cast. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
The Fence

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Cast & Crew

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Claire Denis

Director

Brian Begnan

Actor

Moussa Thiam

Actor

Mia McKenna-Bruce

Leonie

Tom Blyth

Cal

Matt Dillon

Horn
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The Fence

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Movie Info

Synopsis A vast public works project in West Africa. Horn, the construction site manager, and Cal, a young engineer, share lodging behind the double gates of their compound. Leone, Horn's recent bride, comes to join them the same night that a man appears at the fence. His name is Alboury. Like a specter in the darkness, he demands the body of his brother who died earlier that day on the site. He will hound the two men all night long until they return it, as Leone watches the disaster play out before her.
Director
Claire Denis
Producer
Olivier Delbosc, Gary Farkas
Screenwriter
Claire Denis, Suzanne Lindon, Andrew Litvack
Distributor
Independent Film Company
Production Co
Vixens, Curiosa Films, Saint Laurent Productions, Arte France Cinéma
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 21, 2026
Runtime
1h 32m
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