Post-#MeToo Suspense Drama ‘Lex Julia’ Set for Tallinn
Key Takeaway: Laura Hyppรถnen’s suspense drama ‘Lex Julia’ is preparing for its world premiere at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
The suspense drama ‘Lex Julia’ is set to hold its world premiere at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Directed by Laura Hyppรถnen, the international co-production explores complex memories surrounding an alleged assault.
Plot and Production Details
The story follows Julia, a music producer in her early 30s, who accepts an invitation to the secluded villa of her friend Anna, only to realise that Anna’s husband, JP, is a man she has crossed paths with before. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the title refers to ancient Roman legislation on sexual violence.
Hyppรถnen describes the film as a post-#MeToo story about a rape survivor who unexpectedly encounters the man from her past years after their previous encounter, the Hollywood Reporter reports.
In the case of ‘Lex Julia,’ my goal is to both seduce and to disturb the audience out of their comfort zone
Director Laura Hyppรถnen, quoted by Variety
Festival Premiere and Screenings
The world premiere takes place on Friday 13 November 2026 in the Baltic Film Competition of the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: a 17:45 screening at Apollo Kino Plaza followed by a Q&A, according to the PรFF film page. The film is also booked for the 41st Mar del Plata International Film Festival in Argentina later that month, the Hollywood Reporter reports.
The PรFF film page lists a runtime of 1 hour 37 minutes; the film is presented in English and Swedish with Estonian and English subtitles.
✓ Verified
Title: ‘Lex Julia’; written and directed by Laura Hyppรถnen, her second feature (Cineuropa). Cast: Rea Lest as Julia, Christian Hillborg and Jessica Grabowsky (Variety). A four-country co-production (Finland, Poland, Estonia and Sweden); the shoot took place partly on a secluded private Nordic island, using a single location and a cast of three (Variety). World premiere: Friday 13 November 2026, Baltic Film Competition, 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival; runtime 1h37m; English and Swedish with Estonian and English subtitles (PรFF film page).
⚠ Still needs confirmation
Finnish theatrical release via StoryHill in January (The Hollywood Reporter; the year was not stated).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed ‘Lex Julia’?
Laura Hyppรถnen; her second feature.
Who stars in the film?
Rea Lest (as Julia), Christian Hillborg and Jessica Grabowsky.
When and where is the world premiere?
Friday 13 November 2026, Baltic Film Competition, 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Which countries co-produced it?
Finland, Poland, Estonia and Sweden.
- The Hollywood Reporter: Tallinn 2026 PรFF film trailer ‘Lex Julia’
- Variety: Christian Hillborg, Jessica Grabowsky join ‘Lex Julia’
- Cineuropa: ‘Lex Julia’ news detail
- ERR News: Estonian actress Rea Lest to star in ‘Lex Julia’
- PรFF: ‘Lex Julia’ film page
Editor’s note: All images are illustrative file photos, not stills from the film. The StoryHill theatrical window, described by the Hollywood Reporter as a January release with no year given, is marked as needing confirmation.
