News of the World

After the Civil War, a Texan named Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels from town to town reading the news aloud, offering a steady voice in a restless land. He keeps his distance from people, yet he is drawn to stories that connect strangers. When he encounters Johanna Leonberger, a kidnapped girl with a complicated past, he agrees to help her. What begins as a rescue effort becomes a cautious expedition across a harsh frontier, with them sharing small moments of trust while facing hostility, bad weather, and the uncertainties of travel. Along the way Almay and Doris Boudlin cross their path, testing Kidd's resolve and his growing commitment to keeping the girl safe. They face heat and dust together, learning.

Directed by Paul Greengrass, News of the World adapts Paulette Jiles's novel with collaboration from Luke Davies. The drama features Tom Hanks opposite Helena Zengel and carried a budget around 38 million with a 2020 release.

While not a blockbuster legacy, the film reinforces a humane strand of Western storytelling. Hanks's measured performance gives the material warmth, and the portrayal of a fragile bond between caretaker and child sticks with viewers who crave restraint over spectacle.

Critics noted the film's quiet mood and the ethical weight of Kidd's choices as they navigate danger and mercy. The drama foregrounds memory and accountability in a world where keeping people safe often means facing hard truths.