The Chaperones

The Chaperones is an upcoming crime comedy drama directed by India Donaldson, marking her sophomore feature after her debut Good One. Written by Sebastian Black, the film is produced by A24 alongside Brad Pitt's Plan B Productions and Robert Pattinson's Icki Eneo Arlo. The project reunites David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman, who previously starred together in Lionsgate's dystopian thriller The Long Walk. Set days after Christmas, the story follows three slacker friends hired to transport a troubled teen across the country in a cross-country road trip that spirals out of control. Paul Dano plays the drug dealer who organizes the job, Cooper Hoffman is one of the chaperones described as aggressive and reckless, and David Jonsson plays his reluctant partner. Billy Barratt portrays the troubled teen being chaperoned. The ensemble also includes Danielle Deadwyler as Jonsson's sister, Alfred Molina as Hoffman's sleazy boss, along with Tim Meadows and Dolly de Leon. Principal photography was scheduled to begin in late October 2025 across locations in Ohio and New Mexico. The Ohio portion captures the story's starting point, while New Mexico provides the backdrop for the cross-country journey's western leg. The film's road trip structure allows for a variety of locations along the route. India Donaldson's Good One premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and earned strong reviews, establishing her as one of the most exciting emerging voices in American independent cinema. The Chaperones represents a significant step up in scale, with A24 backing and a cast that blends rising stars (Jonsson, fresh off Alien: Romulus; Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour Hoffman) with established names. A 2026 theatrical release is expected.