Netflix Drops First Look and Release Date for Danny Boyle's Tabloid Drama 'Ink,' Starring Guy Pearce

Netflix has officially announced the release dates for its latest acquisition, "Ink," an incendiary drama directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle. The film, which delves into the formative years of Rupert Murdoch's tabloid empire, specifically detailing how he, alongside editor Larry Lamb, transformed The Sun into a populist juggernaut, will first grace select theaters on December 11. Following its theatrical run, "Ink" is slated to premiere on Netflix on January 8 in the U.S. and Latin America, positioning it prominently within the highly competitive awards season.

"Ink" is based on the critically acclaimed, Tony-nominated play of the same name by James Graham, who also adapted his work for the screen. The stellar cast includes Oscar nominee Guy Pearce, portraying a brash, 30-something Rupert Murdoch, with Jack O’Connell as the working-class newspaper journalist Larry Lamb, and Claire Foy in a key role. Boyle, known for his directorial and Best Picture wins for "Slumdog Millionaire" and his recent collaboration with Alex Garland on "28 Years Later," produces the film alongside Tracey Seaward, Tessa Ross, and Michael Ellenberg. James Graham, a prolific British dramatist, is also celebrated for "Dear England" and the miniseries "Sherwood," with his stage version of "Ink" having garnered critical acclaim and a Tony for Bertie Carvel as Murdoch on Broadway.

The film is set to have a significant festival run, making its world premiere as the opening night selection of the Venice Film Festival, where it will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion. It will then proceed to its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, with an expected stop at Telluride, further cementing Netflix's strategy to campaign "Ink" heavily through the Oscar season. Studiocanal fully financed the production and will manage worldwide sales, initiating the international theatrical rollout on January 6 in France and Belgium, followed by the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand on January 7, and the U.K. and Poland on January 8. Subsequent releases include Italy on February 18 and Germany on February 25.

The deal for U.S. and Latin America rights between Netflix and the film's producers was reportedly closed in July 2026, ahead of its Venice debut. "Ink" is a collaborative production by Studiocanal, Media Res, and House Productions. This film joins a robust Netflix slate, which also includes Cannes acquisitions like "La Bola Negra" and "Gentle Monster," along with upcoming titles such as David Fincher’s untitled sequel to "Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood" and Peter Berg’s war drama "The Mosquito Bowl," highlighting the streamer's diverse and ambitious content strategy.