‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ Trailer: Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington Get Shakespearean In Joel Coen’s Apple TV+ Drama

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand are tackling one of Shakespeare’s most iconic tales in Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, which hits Apple TV+ next January. It’s the first film Coen has made without his brother Ethan Coen as a co-director, and from its stunning teaser trailer, this Macbeth adaptation is shaping up to be a must-watch.

Shot in moody black-and-white, the teaser features a single, instantly memorable line from the play: “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

From there, we see brief glimpses of the main characters, such as Macbeth (Washington) and his confidant Banquo (Bertie Caval) approaching three witches, and Lady Macbeth standing pensively by an ornate window.

The Tragedy of Macbeth‘s cast also features Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Kathryn Hunter, Harry Melling, and Brendan Gleeson. Coen also serves as a producer, alongside McDormand and Robert Graf.

Apple acquiring a prestige Shakespeare adaptation helmed by an Oscar-winning director and starring two Oscar-winning actors is a major step in its push to enter the awards season conversation. The streamer also recently distributed Sian Heder’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film Coda, and will release the Tom Hanks-led sci-fi film Finch on November 5, just in time for awards consideration.

In the meantime, you can check out this buzzy Shakespeare film for yourself when The Tragedy of Macbeth premieres in theaters December 25, or when it becomes available to stream on Apple TV+ on January 14. Scroll up to watch the full trailer.

Where to watch The Tragedy of Macbeth