en.Sketsamalang.com – David Harbour and John Cena are set to star in The Family Disappears, an original comedy with thriller elements produced by Fifth Season. The film will be directed by Jonatan Etzler, known for Bad Apples, with a screenplay written by Brendan O’Hare.
The story centers on an overworked father who returns from a business trip to discover that his family has vanished. His situation becomes even more mysterious when he learns that a newcomer has purchased and occupied his home.
Deadline first reported the casting and production details on October 7, 2026. According to the outlet, “Fifth Season is set to produce The Family Disappears, a new comedy from Bad Apples helmer Jonatan Etzler starring two-time Emmy winner David Harbour and Emmy nominee John Cena.” The report further notes that the film is “based on an original script by Brendan O’Hare with thriller undertones.”
Production Plans and Creative Team
Nick Weidenfeld, through Friends Night, and Alexis Garcia, through CAT5, are attached as producers. The pair previously collaborated on Friendship, a comedy starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd that was released by Fifth Season and A24.
Deadline observed that The Family Disappears appears “thematically and perhaps tonally in the vein of that title, as well as DTF St. Louis,” the HBO limited series starring Harbour alongside Jason Bateman and Linda Cardellini. Harbour received an Emmy Award for his performance in the series, adding to his television credits, which also include his role as Jim Hopper in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin on November 10 in Atlanta, Georgia. However, additional cast members have yet to be announced, and the specific roles Harbour and Cena will play remain undisclosed.
The project brings together two established performers under Etzler’s direction, combining comedy with thriller elements. Further details about the production are expected as filming approaches.
As of the initial reports, The Family Disappears has no confirmed theatrical or streaming release date.