1917 star George MacKay shatters his life this time: First clip from Mission

George MacKay is not fighting on the battlefield this time, but battling the limits of his own life.

With the new clip, fresh footage from Paul Wright's Mission has emerged. Accompanying MacKay is Rosy McEwen, who gained attention with Blue Jean, while the film will be showcased in the main competition of the 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival, held from August 13-19.

Deciding to shatter his entire life in a week

In the film, MacKay portrays Dylan, a man increasingly disconnected from his surroundings.

Trapped between his monotonous job, loneliness, and a strained relationship with his sister Claire, Dylan decides to take himself to extremes instead of continuing his accustomed life. He gives himself a week and starts pursuing experiences he had previously avoided.

What initially seems like an attempt at liberation quickly spirals out of control. As Dylan pushes his boundaries in search of meaning, connection, and something real in his life, his experiences become both thrilling and terrifying.

For this reason, the festival and producers describe the film as a “punk exploration of the psyche”.

Rosy McEwen plays Dylan's sister

Rosy McEwen plays the role of Dylan's estranged sister Claire in the film.

The actress made her breakthrough with her performance in Georgia Oakley's 2022 film Blue Jean. The announced cast of Mission also includes names like Dylan Blore, Hazel Beattie, Nick Preston, and Ross McShane.

One of the important aspects of the story is that Dylan does not merely use his journey as a “crazy week.” The broken bond with his sister forms a more personal side of the film that seeks to understand why the character has started to go to such extremes.

George MacKay and Paul Wright reunite after 13 years

Mission also brings MacKay and director Paul Wright back together.

The duo previously collaborated on Wright's 2013 film For Those in Peril. The Scottish director's first feature film won the BAFTA for Best Debut Film. Mission marks the second joint feature project for the pair after 13 years.

When the project was first announced, Wright mentioned that he was particularly interested in “rebels, outsiders, and misfits” living on the fringes of society; he stated that Mission would take these themes to extremes in a more physical and sensory way.

This approach aligns with George MacKay's recent choices as an actor. Instead of gravitating towards safer big studio leads after 1917, the actor has participated in riskier, character-driven independent projects like Femme, and in Mission, he again takes on a character that requires a physical transformation.

The film was shot in Scotland

Mission was filmed in Scotland in 2024.

The film is supported by BBC Film, Screen Scotland, and Ffilm Cymru Wales, with production companies including Early Day Films, 65 Wilding Films, Meraki Films, and Rapt. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams also served as a co-producer on the project. Global sales are being handled by Blue Finch Films.

The film's cinematography was done by Nick Cooke, editing by Michael Aaglund, and music by Roly Porter. The runtime of Mission is 87 minutes.

First test on August 15

Mission will have its world premiere on August 15, 2026, at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The film is part of the festival's competition selection, with additional screenings planned for the following days.

The general release date has not yet been announced.

With the new clip, the film's core promise becomes more visible. Dylan's goal is not simply to change his life. He removes all his brakes for a week and tests how far he can push himself to truly live.

Whether he will find himself at the end of this journey is the main question of Mission.