Christian Bale Succumbs to Hollywood Excess in First Trailer for Terrence Malick's 'Knight of Cups'

Director (and longtime Hollywood outsider) Terrence Malick is taking an up-close look at the seedy side of the entertainment world’s capital in his next film, Knight of Cups. The first trailer for the movie was released today and offers audiences a first look at the mysterious project.

Christian Bale plays a weary Hollywood veteran caught up in the illicit rewards that come with fame. It seems that his relationship with his wife, played Cate Blanchett, is suffering under the weight of his indulgences, thing get worse once he is freed to pursue a path to self-ruin.

Related: Christian Bale on His Stunt-Driving Spouse: “My Wife Terrifies Me”

Here’s the very mysterious synopsis for the film, which will premiere at next year’s Berlin Film Festival in February: “Once there was a young prince whose father, the king of the East, sent him down into Egypt to find a pearl. But when the prince arrived, the people poured him a cup. Drinking it, he forgot he was the son of a king, forgot about the pearl and fell into a deep sleep. Rick’s father used to read this story to him as a boy. The road to the East stretches out before him. Will he set forth?”