'Carmen' teaser: Paul Mescal and Melissa Barrera treat each other with lyrical passion

Paul Mescal is in great shape to give muscle to the dark opera "Carmen".

The Oscar nominee stars alongside 'Scream VI' star Melissa Barrera in the modern update of the beloved opera. Directed by Benjamin Millepied of the famous choreography "Black Swan", the film debuted at TIFF 2022.

"The Revenant" scribe Alexander Dinelaris, "Girl, Interrupted" writer Lisa Loomer and Loïc Barrere collaborated on the screenplay. Barrera plays the title character, with Elsa Pataky and Rossy de Palma also starring. Emmy-winning composer Nicholas Britell ("Succession") penned the score.

According to the official synopsis, “Carmen” follows a fiercely independent young woman who is forced to flee her home in the Mexican desert following the brutal murder of her mother, another strong and mysterious woman. Carmen (Barrera) survives a terrifying and dangerous illegal border crossing into the United States, only to be confronted by a lawless volunteer border guard who murders two other immigrants in her group in cold blood. When the Border Patrol and his patrol partner, Aidan (Mescal) - a Marine with PTSD - are drawn into a deadly standoff, Carmen and Aidan are forced to escape together. They head north to Los Angeles in search of Carmen's mother's best friend, the mercurial Masilda (De Palma) and owner of La Sombra nightclub, a music and dance sanctuary. Carmen and Aidan find both solace and their unwavering love for each other in the safety of Masilda's magical haven, but time is running out as the hunt for the police draws closer.

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IndieWire's David Ehrlich applauded Mescal and Barrera's dedication, writing, "When 'Carmen' puts his two tracks together, anything seems possible. Mescal may not be a trained dancer, but he's too good an actor to matter, he moves with the kind of militaristic physicality like an ex-soldier would, exuding a strength that transforms into love before our eyes. Aidan and Carmen find this singular film at its best: a vivid expression of belonging in a cruel and hostile world that encourages people to flee while desperately depriving them of any place to land."

“Carmen” will premiere in select markets on April 21 through Sony Pictures Classics, followed by a domestic release in May 2023. Check out the teaser below.

To see all of Mescal's upcoming roles, click here.

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