Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock is set to return to the big screen in a role unlike any she’s tackled before. In a bold move by director Ava DuVernay, Bullock will headline “Daughters of the Fire,” a gritty, emotional World War II drama that centers on a secret squad of female operatives behind enemy lines. The film, already generating buzz for its powerhouse cast and daring narrative, is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated releases.
The story follows a group of Allied women — spies, radio operators, medics, and saboteurs — who operate in Nazi-occupied France. Sandra Bullock plays Commander Elise Laurent, a former intelligence officer turned underground resistance leader, battling not only the enemy but betrayal from within her own ranks. Her role promises complexity, strength, and vulnerability — the kind of character Bullock thrives in.
Joining her is an all-star female ensemble including Jodie Comer, Lashana Lynch, Vanessa Kirby, and Lupita Nyong’o. Together, they bring life to a story inspired by real women who risked everything in the shadows of war. The film aims to spotlight the overlooked contributions of female operatives during WWII, long overshadowed by their male counterparts.
Bullock, who’s also executive producing the project, described the film as “a brutal love letter to the forgotten heroes of history.” She added, “These were women who were smart, scared, brave, and human — and it’s about time we told their story with the weight it deserves.”
The screenplay, penned by Sarah Polley (Women Talking), promises emotional depth and psychological tension. With DuVernay at the helm, the film blends cinematic action with intimate character studies, shining a light on the price of war and the resilience of sisterhood.
Critics are already predicting awards buzz, noting the strength of the cast and the film’s timely themes of courage, sacrifice, and betrayal. The combination of Bullock’s emotional range, Polley’s sharp writing, and DuVernay’s visual storytelling could make “Daughters of the Fire” a modern war classic.
A Netflix co-production, the film will debut in select theaters before streaming worldwide. Teaser images showing Bullock in period uniform, covered in mud and blood, have already gone viral on social media, stoking anticipation and curiosity.
“Daughters of the Fire” is scheduled for theatrical release on October 9, 2026, with a global Netflix premiere following on October 16, 2026. The film will have red carpet premieres in Toronto, London, Paris, and Los Angeles.
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