Rhys Ifans & Laura Linney battle Parkinson’s, laugh together in surprise

Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney are set to star in John Madden’s feature “Onwards and Sideways,” which will premiere as a Gala Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 13.

The film follows Tony, a deputy headteacher, and Emma, a musician‑composer and single mother, as they each receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis on the same morning and discover an unexpected friendship that spans five years.

The script, written by Paul Mayhew‑Archer—who has lived with Parkinson’s since 2011—combines wit with the emotional realities of living with the disease. Linney told that she felt “never been so nervous in my life” about portraying the experience without making it look ridiculous or insulting to anyone affected by Parkinson’s.

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## Background & Context

The story began when Madden first read a draft in 2018, but did not join the project then for various reasons. Six years later, after a family member was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Madden re‑examined the script and decided to board the film.

He said he “had become much more aware of the Parkinson’s world and its community,” and praised Mayhew‑Archer’s natural wit, noting that the writer had lived with the illness for seven years by the time of his first reading.

Mayhew‑Archer also hosts an award‑winning podcast called *Movers and Shakers* about Parkinson’s, and he co‑stars in the film. The production was shot over six weeks in Norfolk, UK, with Mayhew‑Archer “at the center” on set.

The team worked with the consulting group Neuro Heroes, an expert‑led neuro physiotherapy and exercise class group for Parkinson’s, MS and other neurological conditions. The film shows how dancing can help manage motor and non‑motor symptoms by combining exercise, rhythm and social connection.

The plot centers on Tony, a widow who has lived in a bubble of grief and loneliness, and Emma, a single mother who is also dealing with the physical challenges of Parkinson’s. Their unexpected encounter on the morning of their diagnoses becomes the catalyst for a deep, supportive friendship that spans five years.

The story highlights how Parkinson’s is not just one set of symptoms but a “fingerprint” of individual experiences, with about 40 different symptoms tailored to each person.

Beyond the immediate narrative, *Onwards and Sideways* sits within a growing tradition of cinema that tackles neurodegenerative disease with nuance and humanity.

Earlier films such as *The Diving Bell and the Butterfly*, *The Theory of Everything* and more recently *A Quiet Place Part II* have shown audiences that stories about illness can be both gripping and uplifting.

Madden, best known for his work on *Belfast* and the 2021 film *The Last Duel*, brings a deft sensitivity to character-driven drama, ensuring that the emotional stakes of Parkinson’s are matched by the authenticity of everyday life.

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## What People Are Saying

Ifans said the responsibility felt heavy because “you’re literally representing a demographic that has to live with this disease for the rest of their lives.” He added that he had been attached to the project for a decade and “felt the weight of that responsibility and the urgency to get it right at every single turn.” The actor also described the film as a mixture of laughter and devastation, noting that “Parkinson’s is never really far away from the door” and that many people know someone suffering from it.

Linney echoed that nervousness but also praised the script’s optimism. She said she was surprised at how “refreshing” it was and that Mayhew‑Archer is “the most optimistic of people.” She noted that Parkinson’s often leads to a “hole” from which people can’t get out, but the film does the opposite by showing resilience.

Madden highlighted the authenticity of the story.

He said, “It’s a strange combination between an anatomy of a disease and an emotional journey between these two people and how they come together and find their way.” He expressed hope that the film will illuminate Parkinson’s in ways audiences had not imagined, describing it as a real sense of authenticity at the core of the production.

Together, the trio emphasized that “Onwards and Sideways” is about two people finding each other when both are vulnerable. Linney explained that as viewers follow Tony and Emma over five years, they learn “the joy of connection and the depth of that connection,” while Ifans said they are “bonded through trauma in a way… welded together.”

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## Fan Reactions

Even before its TIFF premiere, the buzz around *Onwards and Sideways* has been palpable. A pre‑screening at a community centre in Norwich drew an audience of over 200 Parkinson’s patients, their families, and medical professionals.

In the minutes following the screening, many attendees posted on social media that they felt “seen” and “heard.” One woman with early‑stage Parkinson’s wrote, “I laughed at Emma’s dance routine the way I see my own tremors as a kind of rhythm—this film made me feel less alone.”

On Twitter, fans of Linney and Ifans have chimed in with supportive messages, using the hashtag #OnwardsAndSideways.

A user named @TheMusicMatriarch shared a clip of Emma’s music score that had been composed during her own struggle, noting how the piece “captures the beauty and pain of living with Parkinson’s.” Another fan, @TheGentleManOfIfans, posted a photo of his own father who has Parkinson’s, commenting that the film “reminds us that we’re not just patients; we’re friends and family too.”

In addition to personal testimonies, several community organisations have announced plans to screen the film as part of awareness campaigns. The Parkinson’s UK charity has already scheduled a Q&A session with the cast and crew following the TIFF premiere, hoping to spark conversations about early diagnosis and support networks.

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## Industry Impact

*Onwards and Sideways* arrives at a time when the film industry is increasingly embracing stories that challenge stereotypes around illness. , audiences are showing a growing appetite for biographical dramas that blend medical insight with human storytelling.

The film’s blend of humor, music, and an intimate look at Parkinson’s positions it as a potential benchmark for future productions.

From a distribution standpoint, the partnership with Kaleidoscope Film Distribution ensures that the film will reach not only mainstream theatres but also educational institutions and healthcare settings.

This dual strategy could open doors for the movie to be used as a teaching tool for medical students and physiotherapists, highlighting how creative expression intersects with physical therapy—an approach that aligns with Neuro Heroes’ mission.

the success of *Onwards and Sideways* may encourage other filmmakers to collaborate directly with people living with neurological conditions. By involving Mayhew‑Archer both as writer and actor, the production demonstrates that lived experience can enrich a narrative beyond what research alone can achieve.

This model could inspire similar partnerships in the coming years, potentially leading to a wave of films that prioritize authenticity over dramatization.

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## What Happens Next

“Onwards and Sideways” will premiere at TIFF on September 13. The film is being distributed worldwide by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, with North American representation from CAA Media Finance. In the United Kingdom, Icon Film Distribution will handle theatrical release.

The project brings together a team that includes Hilltop Screen producer Hilary Bevan Jones, John Gore , and the BBC. The film’s production and distribution plan positions it for a wide audience while staying true to its heartfelt subject matter.

With its premiere at one of the world’s most influential film festivals, “Onwards and Sideways” promises to offer a fresh, human‑centered look at Parkinson’s that balances medical reality with the power of friendship and music.

The collaboration between a seasoned director, an intimate writer‑actor, and two celebrated performers sets a new standard for storytelling that is both informative and deeply moving—an approach that will resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.