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Angourie Rice is bringing charm to the big screen this summer with the quirky British rom-com Finding Emily. The film arrives in US theaters on August 28, 2026, just over three months away. Fans are already eager to see the Australian actress team up with co-star Spike Fearn in a love story about a wrong number that changes everything.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: August 28, 2026 in US theaters nationwide
- Plot Setup: A lovesick musician gets wrong number for his dream girl, teams up with psychology student to find her
- Cast: Angourie Rice, Spike Fearn, and Minnie Driver lead the ensemble
- Rom-Com Renaissance: Directed by Alicia MacDonald, written by Rachel Hirons, produced by Working Title Films
The Perfect Wrong Number Premise
Finding Emily follows Owen (Spike Fearn), an extreme romantic who is obsessed with finding a woman named Emily he met during a night out. The problem: he never got her real number. When he accidentally reaches Emily Raine (Angourie Rice), a cynical psychology student, an unexpected partnership sparks. Emily agrees to help Owen search for his mysterious crush as part of a controversial PhD project proving that love causes madness. The setup echoes classics like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and 10 Things I Hate About You, blending humor with genuine romantic tension.
The chemistry between the leads became instant on set. Both actors emphasized how natural collaboration made filming effortless, with shared creative goals driving every scene.
Angourie Rice promotes Finding Emily rom-com, arriving in US on August 28
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Manchester Charm Meets Modern Rom-Com Energy
Director Alicia MacDonald set the entire production in Manchester, England, bringing authentic British wit to every frame. The British romantic comedy feel separates this film from typical American rom-coms, offering audiences the quirky humor and accent-driven charm that fans adore. During interviews, Angourie Rice raved about the experience, noting the production provided endless tea and biscuits. The Manchester setting creates a romantic yet grounded backdrop for Owen and Emily’s hilarious search across the campus and city streets.
Rachel Hirons, the screenwriter, crafted dialogue that balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional stakes. The film marks a fresh take on beloved rom-com tropes from the early 2000s.
Release and Theatrical Competition
| Detail | Information |
| US Release Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Studio | Focus Features, Universal Pictures |
| Director | Alicia MacDonald |
| Runtime | 110 minutes |
Finding Emily launches into a crowded marketplace. The film competes with action flick Coyote vs. Acme and comedy film Idiots on the same weekend. However, rom-com fans have been starved for fresh theatrical releases in recent years. This gives Finding Emily a unique advantage: it targets an underserved audience hungry for genuine romantic comedy entertainment that blends humor with heart.
“People want comedy, people want romance. Life is full of romance and comedy, so we should be watching rom-coms.”
— Angourie Rice, on the current rom-com moment
Angourie Rice’s Career Momentum and On-Screen Chemistry
Angourie Rice, now 25 years old, has been acting since childhood, working alongside Hollywood legends like Ryan Gosling, Kate Winslet, and Nicole Kidman. She brings natural charisma to her role as Emily Raine, the psychology student who battles her own cynicism while helping Owen. Her off-screen chemistry with Spike Fearn developed organically during casting and Manchester filming sessions. Rice’s passion for storytelling shines through in every interview, as she emphasizes her desire to make films she loves with cool collaborators.
Interestingly, Spike Fearn praised Rice’s family closeness, noting how she films music videos with her sister on weekends, revealing her grounded personality despite stardom. Rice reciprocated, admiring Fearn’s passion for artists and musicians, explaining how his enthusiasm introduced her to new creative voices.
Will Finding Emily Launch a Rom-Com Revival or Just Entertain Summer Audiences?
The question isn’t whether Finding Emily will succeed, but whether it signals a genuine rom-com renaissance. Audiences crave emotional storytelling wrapped in laughter, making this film’s release perfectly timed. With Alicia MacDonald directing, Rachel Hirons writing, and Working Title Films producing, the film has established creative pedigree behind every frame. Both stars expressed conviction that rom-coms are experiencing a cultural moment, and if Finding Emily connects with viewers, expect more studios to green-light romantic comedies for theatrical release throughout 2027 and beyond. Will this Australian-British collaboration prove that audiences want genuine romantic comedy experiences on the big screen?
Watch the Official Trailer
Sources
- Focus Features – Official theatrical release announcement for August 28, 2026 US premiere
- Refinery29 – In-depth interviews with Angourie Rice and Spike Fearn discussing chemistry and rom-com renaissance
- IMDb, Wikipedia – Verified cast, director, writer, and production details
