Linney and Ifans Face Parkinson's Together in New TIFF-Bound Drama
Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans star as two strangers who meet after both receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis in the upcoming film 'Onwards and Sideways,' directed by John Madden. The movie, written by Paul Mayhew-Archer, will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13. It also features Monica Dolan and Rory Kinnear, with a U.K. theatrical release planned for November.
The film marks a reunion between director John Madden and Laura Linney, who previously collaborated on the 1999 period drama *The Taming of the Shrew* adaptation for television. Screenwriter Paul Mayhew-Archer brings personal insight to the project, as he co-hosts the Parkinson’s-focused podcast *Movers and Shakers* and appears in the cast. The production is backed by John Gore Studios and the BBC, with Kaleidoscope Film Distribution handling worldwide sales and CAA Media Finance co-representing North American rights. A U.K. theatrical release is set for November through Icon Film Distribution, following the September 13 gala premiere at TIFF.
This drama could raise public awareness of Parkinson’s disease by framing it through humor, music, and connection rather than solely as a medical struggle. Audiences living with the condition or caring for others may find resonance in the story’s emphasis on unexpected friendship and resilience. The film’s high-profile cast and festival platform may also encourage broader conversations about representation of chronic illness in mainstream entertainment, potentially influencing how such narratives are told in future projects.