Sophie Okonedo takes the lead in Mouse, a coming-of-age drama from Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, the filmmakers behind Ghostlight. The film, which has released its first trailer, is set in 2002 and was filmed in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It follows a teenager trying to cope with the sudden loss of her best friend. The Independent Film Company will release Mouse in U.S. theatres on November 6.
The story centres on Minnie and Callie, best friends preparing to begin their senior year of high school. Callie is confident, popular and admired at their North Little Rock school, while Minnie has spent much of her life living in her friend’s shadow. When their friendship is suddenly upended during the summer, Minnie is forced to figure out who she is without the person who has played such an important role in her life.
Minnie finds an unexpected source of comfort in Callie’s mother, Helen Bell, played by Okonedo. A sophisticated former classical pianist, Helen develops a complicated relationship with Minnie as both women try to navigate the aftermath of their shared loss. Helen offers to train Minnie for a school cabaret performance held in Callie’s honour, bringing the two closer together.
Their relationship becomes central to the film as they experience grief from very different stages of life. While Minnie is attempting to understand herself and move into adulthood, Helen is trying to find a way to move forward. The film explores how both characters respond to loss while their growing connection gives Minnie a new direction.
Katherine Mallen Kupferer plays Minnie, following her appearance in Ghostlight, while Chloe Coleman portrays Callie. Iman Vellani, known for Ms. Marvel and The Marvels, plays Kat, bringing another young perspective into Minnie’s changing world. David Hyde Pierce, best known for Frasier, appears as Mr. Murdaugh, Minnie’s drama teacher. The ensemble brings together teenage uncertainty, family tension and adult grief.
O’Sullivan and Thompson wrote and directed Mouse, following their collaboration on Ghostlight. While that film explored community theatre, their latest project turns its attention to friendship, identity and grief. The filmmakers continue their interest in intimate, relationship-driven stories, with Mouse focusing primarily on the evolving bond between Minnie and Helen.
The film’s 2002 setting also gives it a distinct sense of time. Mouse takes place before social media became a defining part of teenage communication and friendships. North Little Rock plays an important role beyond simply providing the backdrop, as O’Sullivan grew up there. That personal connection helps ground the story in the community where it is set.
Mouse previously premiered at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section, giving the film an early presence on the international festival circuit. With its trailer now available, audiences have their first substantial look at the film’s tone and the emotional journey at its centre.
At its heart, Mouse explores what happens when a young person has to rebuild her identity after losing the friend who made her feel understood. With Okonedo and Mallen Kupferer at the centre of the story, the film will arrive in U.S. theatres on November 6.