Adele is stepping out of the recording studio and onto the big screen. The Grammy-winning singer will make her acting debut in Tom Ford’s upcoming feature film Cry to Heaven, adapted from Anne Rice’s 1982 novel of the same name.
The project marks Ford’s highly anticipated return to directing, following the acclaimed A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals.
From Fashion Runways to Opera Houses
Set in 18th-century Italy, Cry to Heaven explores the haunting world of the “castrati,” young male singers castrated to preserve their angelic voices. The story follows two such performers whose intertwined destinies unfold amid the glittering yet brutal world of Venetian opera.
Ford, who is writing, directing, and producing the film, has assembled a star-packed cast. Joining Adele are Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, and breakout actor Owen Cooper. The ensemble also includes Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Hunter Schafer, and Thandiwe Newton.
While Ford has not disclosed Adele’s specific role, her powerhouse vocals and dramatic presence seem tailor-made for a film rooted in music, art, and transformation.
Adele’s Next Act
After closing her Las Vegas residency last year, Adele hinted she wanted to “do other creative things.” Her move into acting appears to be that next chapter. The singer’s last album, 30, arrived in 2021, and while fans have long awaited new music, this film role signals a new direction for the artist.
It’s not the first time Adele’s cinematic flair has shown through, her Oscar-winning Skyfall theme proved she could deliver both grandeur and emotion worthy of the big screen.
Tom Ford’s Cinematic Revival
Tom Ford, who famously stepped away from fashion after selling his eponymous brand to Estée Lauder in 2022, has said he plans to dedicate his next two decades to filmmaking. “I loved making the two films that I made. That was the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life,” he told GQ.
With Cry to Heaven, Ford returns to the visual lushness and psychological intensity that defined his previous films, pairing style with story in a way few directors can.
Whether Adele is playing a leading diva or a mysterious muse, one thing’s clear, her big-screen debut will be as captivating as her voice.
