Collateral Beauty trailer: Will Smith confronts love, death, time

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Published on November 10, 2016 12:00PM EST

Will Smith explores the “profound connection to everything” in the new trailer for David Frankel’s emotionally-wrought drama Collateral Beauty.

In the film, Will Smith plays a New York City ad executive, Howard, who, after suffering a personal tragedy, retreats from life, seeking existential answers from the universe as he pens inquisitive letters to time, love, and death. He receives unexpected responses to his notes, however, as personified versions of the metaphysical entities enter his life, stressing their interconnectivity so Howard can put the pieces of his life’s puzzle back together.

The film’s new trailer begins as Howard perches outside a building where a grief support group holds a gathering, a morose look plastered on his face as he peers in from the snowy exterior, telling a companion, Madeleine (Naomie Harris), that he didn’t attend the session because he’s trying to “fix” his mind.

STARRING: Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Edward NortonDIRECTED BY: David FrankelRELEASE DATE: 12/16It’s hard to describe Collateral Beauty, especially when the plot is being kept secret beyond its logline: Howard Inlet (Will Smith) finds his life shattered after a personal tragedy. “It’s a little bit It’s a Wonderful Life and a little bit The Wizard of Oz,” says Smith, 47 (not helping). “It’s the process of Howard putting his life back together, but there’s also some interesting mystical elements.” The Devil Wears Prada director David Frankel is behind the camera. Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet are in front of it with Smith, doing…something. “It’s a smart, funny, and heartwarming Christmas story about reclaiming one’s life and love,” he says. Barry Wetcher

Howard’s colleagues (Kate Winslet, Michael Peña) ponder his strange behavior throughout the trailer, though they ultimately wrap themselves up in his spiritual journey. Later, death, love, and time take human form as Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, and Jacob Latimore, respectively, crossing Howard’s path as they open his eyes, reminding him that moments of meaning and beauty can be found on the other side of deep loss and regret.

“It’s a little bit It’s a Wonderful Life and a little bit The Wizard of Oz,” Smith previously told EW about the film’s plot. “It’s the process of Howard putting his life back together, but there’s also some interesting mystical elements. Yeah, there’s huuuuge spoilers. It’s delicately framed in a way that’s going to be tough to promote.”

The Devil Wears Prada director David Frankel helmed the picture, which also features performances from Edward Norton and Enrique Murciano.

Collateral Beauty is scheduled for a nationwide release on Dec. 16. Watch the film’s new trailer above.