Adele to Make Acting Debut in Tom Ford’s “Cry to Heaven”

Adele, the Grammy-winning British singer, is set to make her feature film acting debut in Tom Ford’s upcoming adaptation of Cry to Heaven. Ford, who writes, directs and produces the project through his company, will mark his third feature film with the 1982 novel by Anne Rice as his source material.

Adele – Instagram

The story of Cry to Heaven is set in 18th century Italy and centres on the intertwined lives of a Venetian nobleman and a castrato singer, exploring themes of artistic ambition, social constraint and identity. The cast includes multiple established actors alongside Adele, although her specific role has not yet been disclosed.

Filming is scheduled to begin in London and Rome in January 2026, with a planned release in late 2026. Ford intends to finance the production independently.

Adele – Instagram

For Adele, this marks a significant shift from her musical career. Following a residency in Las Vegas that concluded in November 2024, she announced a break from recording and touring. For Tom Ford, the project comes after nearly a decade away from directing films; his previous features were 2009’s A Single Man and 2016’s Nocturnal Animals.

By combining a high-profile musical artist entering the film world and a director known for his strong visual style, the film carries high expectations. The material, rooted in opera and historical drama, offers Adele the opportunity to draw on her performance background in a new medium. Equally, it presents challenges as she takes on a period role with complex character dynamics. For Ford, the independent financing and ensemble cast suggest he is maintaining full creative control. The reception of both the film and Adele’s performance will be closely watched when it reaches audiences.