See Cynthia Nixon as Emily Dickinson in 'A Quiet Passion' Trailer

One of the 19th century’s most revered writers, American poet Emily Dickinson, has yet to receive a proper biopic — at least, that is, until now. Celebrated director Terence Davies will bring her life to the screen this fall with A Quiet Passion. And as its trailer indicates, it’s poised to be the filmmaker’s second arthouse breakout following this spring’s Sunset Song.

Starring Cynthia Nixon, whose post-Sex and the City career has been marked by a variety of challenging performances, including her masterly supporting turn in last year’s James White, A Quiet Passion premiered at February’s Berlin Film Festival to generally strong reviews. While Variety’s Guy Lodge labeled it a “missed opportunity” and Davies’s “most mannered and least fulfilling work to date,” the New Yorker’s Richard Brody definitively disagreed, remarking, “I’m thrilled to say that it’s an absolute drop-dead masterwork.” The Guardian’s Andrew Pulver, meanwhile, singled out the film’s leading lady in his positive write-up, noting that “Nixon does a brilliant job, and Davies’ self-written script, which dwells on the quotidian as much as grand gestures, gives her the tools.”

Audiences will get to decide for themselves if the House of Mirth director captured the essence of Dickinson’s life when A Quiet Passion — co-starring Emma Bell, Jennifer Ehle, Duncan Duff, and Keith Carradine — has its North American premiere at this fall’s Toronto International Film Festival. A U.S. release date has not been set.