Todd Haynes Follows Two Children Across New York in First Trailer for ‘Wonderstruck’

A new film from Todd Haynes is always something to look forward to. The Carol and Far From Heaven filmmaker has a way of painting some of life’s most quietest moments with an evocative, emotional power. With Wonderstruck, Haynes looks at the world through a child’s eye (or in this case, two children), and the first trailer has finally arrived to give us a taste of what to expect this fall.

Haynes’ latest follows Ben, played Oakes Fegley, the adorable lead from last summer’s Pete’s Dragon remake, and Rose (played by newcomer Millicent Simmonds). The film jumps across eras, showing Ben in 1977 and Rose living in 1927, both deaf children who flee to New York City in search of something – Ben is an orphan looking for answers to his past, while Rose follows an actress she admires. Here’s the full synopsis:

Based on Brian Selznick’s critically acclaimed novel Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his home and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out on quests to find what they are missing that unfold with mesmerizing symmetry.

Wonderstruck reunites Julianne Moore with her Far From Heaven director, and also stars Michelle Williams (hello, Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominations), along with Tom Noonan and Jaden Michael. The film had a warm, though not rapturous reception when it debuted at Cannes earlier this year, suggesting it may not be on par with Carol, but the trailer alone still has this high on my most anticipated list. Wonderstruck will play as the Centerpiece film at the New York Film Festival before it hits theaters with an awards season-appropriate release on October 20.