Hemsworth & Egerton Wrap 1950s Crime Thriller Kockroach

What Is the 1950s Crime Thriller Kockroach?

Kockroach is an upcoming 1950s crime thriller film directed by Matt Ross and based on the 2009 novel by William Lashner. The film completed principal photography in June 2026, according to The Movie Blog.

"Filming wraps on 1950s thriller Kockroach starring Hemsworth, Egerton, Baldwin & Beetz. Directed by Matt Ross from a William Lashner novel."

— The Movie Blog, June 2026

The film Kockroach is an upcoming 1950s crime thriller adaptation of William Lashner's 2009 novel, directed by Matt Ross and starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Stephen Baldwin, and Zazie Beetz.

Key Facts

What Is the Plot of the Film Kockroach?

The central plot of Kockroach follows a man who emerges from a subway grate in 1950s New York City with a distinctly cockroach-like appearance and cunning. He proceeds to ruthlessly exploit and climb the ranks of the city's criminal underworld, embracing his baser instincts for power. The narrative is a direct adaptation of William Lashner's 2009 novel, which critically reimagined Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis within the tropes of a hardboiled crime thriller. According to The Movie Blog's June 2026 report, the film centers on themes of transformation, identity, and brutish ambition. The production aims to faithfully translate the novel's distinctive literary homage into an immersive visual period setting.

The plot of Kockroach adapts William Lashner's 2009 novel, blending Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis with a 1950s hardboiled crime thriller set in New York City.

Who Is Directing and Starring in Kockroach?

The 1950s crime thriller Kockroach is directed by Matt Ross, previously known for directing the critically acclaimed 2016 film Captain Fantastic. The principal cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Stephen Baldwin, and Zazie Beetz. Dylan McDermott and David Mazouz fill out the supporting cast in undisclosed roles. The ensemble was confirmed as part of the film's June 2026 wrap announcement by The Movie Blog. The combination of Ross's independent film pedigree with this scale of cast suggests a project aimed at both critical and commercial audiences.

Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Stephen Baldwin, and Zazie Beetz were announced as the principal cast of the Matt Ross-directed 1950s crime thriller Kockroach in June 2026.

When Did Filming Wrap on Kockroach?

Principal photography on the film Kockroach wrapped in June 2026, according to the exclusive report from The Movie Blog published at that time. The specific duration of the overall production shoot has not been publicly disclosed by the filmmakers. The wrap date confirms the project has entered post-production. No official theatrical release date has been announced as of the June 2026 report. The completion of filming represents a major milestone for the adaptation, which has been in various stages of development since the 2009 publication of Lashner's novel.

Principal photography on the 1950s crime thriller Kockroach concluded in June 2026, moving the adaptation fully into post-production with no release date set.

How Does the Film Kockroach Compare to Its Source Material?

The 2026 film Kockroach is a direct cinematic adaptation of William Lashner's 2009 novel of the same name. The source material is widely considered a challenging literary work to adapt due to its specific blend of Kafkaesque allegory and gritty genre fiction. The film aims to translate this fusion into a visual medium using a prestige cast and a period setting. No major deviations from the novel's core plot or themes have been confirmed by the director or studio as of the wrap announcement. The project signals an ambitious attempt to honor the complexity of Lashner's literary pastiche.

The film Kockroach is a direct adaptation of William Lashner's 2009 novel, retaining the core premise of a Kafkaesque rise through the 1950s New York underworld.

Who Is This Film For?

The target audience for Kockroach includes fans of literary crime fiction and audiences drawn to star-driven prestige period thrillers. The film occupies a crossover niche, appealing to viewers who appreciate psychological depth applied to a classic noir structure. Unlike standard crime procedurals, Kockroach directly adapts a literary work famous for its Kafkaesque core. The combination of Matt Ross's indie credibility and the A-list ensemble positions it for both critical and commercial appeal, targeting audiences who enjoyed similarly high-concept genre fare.

The film Kockroach is positioned for crossover appeal, targeting audiences seeking a high-concept literary noir adaptation driven by a major ensemble cast.

Common Questions

Is Kockroach based on a book?

Yes, the film Kockroach is directly adapted from William Lashner's 2009 novel of the same name. The novel originally blended Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis with the hardboiled crime genre, a conceit the film brings to its 1950s New York City setting.

When did Kockroach start and stop filming?

Principal photography on Kockroach wrapped in June 2026. The specific start date of filming has not been publicly released, nor has a theatrical release date been set for the project as of the wrap announcement.

Where was the film Kockroach shot?

Specific filming locations for Kockroach were not confirmed in the primary June 2026 announcement from The Movie Blog. The 1950s period setting implies substantial production design work to recreate the aesthetic of mid-century New York City.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based entirely on the source material provided by The Movie Blog, specifically the June 2026 report titled "Hemsworth & Egerton Wrap 1950s Crime Thriller Kockroach." Information regarding the film's plot and themes is derived from the established synopsis of William Lashner's 2009 novel Kockroach. No additional external sources or studio press releases were used for the core facts presented here. This article was last updated on June 26, 2026.