Ben Shapiro’s film Confession opens in 100 theaters

The film Confession, written by Ben Shapiro and produced by The Daily Wire, opened in 100 theaters on November 11, 2026. The movie stars Rob Lowe and James Franco, alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Emile Hirsch, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Directed by Václav Marhoul, the film depicts the brutal interrogation of a prisoner in a Stalin-era Russian jail.

The theatrical release is limited to a single night before the film moves to the Daily Wire website. The project marks Shapiro’s screenwriting debut and represents an expansion of the conservative media company’s filmmaking efforts. The cast includes several Oscar nominees, with Kodi Smit-McPhee portraying Alexei's estranged son and Emile Hirsch playing a concert pianist.

Reviews of the film have been mixed. Frank Scheck described Confession as a "dull, turgid slog," noting that the casting of James Franco in a major role appears designed to give a middle finger to Hollywood studios for shunning the company. Conversely, other critics have praised the film, with one calling it a masterpiece that explores profound questions about beauty and the world. The film has also generated significant discussion on Letterboxd, where some users expressed strong negative reactions to the content and performances.