Time is a weird thing. Michael Ende knew that better than anyone when he wrote his legendary novel about a girl who lives in an amphitheater and fights the "Grey Men." For decades, fans of the book have been waiting for a definitive modern version. Now, we finally have the cast of Momo film updates that matter for the 2025/2026 release cycle.
Honestly, finding out who is playing whom in this new adaptation has been a bit of a hunt. This isn't just a small indie project. It's a massive, international English-language production directed by Christian Ditter. You might know him from How to Be Single, which is a total pivot from high-concept German fantasy, but here we are.
The Girl Who Listens: Alexa Goodall as Momo
The biggest question on everyone's mind was always: who can play Momo? You need someone who looks like they’ve lived a thousand years but is still just a kid. They found her in Alexa Goodall.
You’ve probably caught her recently in A Gentleman in Moscow. She has that specific vibe—curly red hair and eyes that look like they’re actually paying attention to you. In the world of the film, Momo’s "superpower" is literally just listening. It sounds simple, but in a world where everyone is rushing, it's radical. Goodall has a lot of heavy lifting to do, especially since she's following in the footsteps of Radost Bokel from the 1986 cult classic.
Some critics who caught early screenings at the Zurich Film Festival late last year were a bit split. Some loved her look; others felt the performance was a bit stiff. But hey, playing an archetype of "pure humanity" isn't exactly an easy Sunday job for a child actor.
🔗 Read more: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The Heavy Hitters: Martin Freeman and Claes Bang
If you're going to make a movie about the philosophy of time, you need some "prestige" actors to anchor the thing. Enter Martin Freeman.
He’s playing Master Hora. In the book, Hora is the custodian of time, the guy who lives in the "Nowhere House" and sends out the turtle Cassiopeia. Freeman is basically the perfect choice for this. He can do that "fuddled but wise" thing in his sleep. Interestingly, he also provides the voiceover narration for the film, which gives it a sort of Hobbit-esque fairytale grounding.
Then you have the villains. The Grey Men.
Claes Bang—who was absolutely terrifying in Dracula and brilliant in The Square—is taking on a lead role here. He’s listed as the "Judge" or a high-ranking member of the Time Thrift Bank. If you need someone to look cold, corporate, and soul-sucking while wearing a grey suit and smoking a cigar that turns into ash, Bang is your man. He has this way of being charming and deeply unsettling at the same time.
💡 You might also like: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
Breaking Down the Rest of the Cast
The supporting cast is surprisingly deep. It’s a mix of British TV staples and European stars.
- Araloyin Oshunremi as Gino: You’ll recognize him from Top Boy or Heartstopper. In this version, Gino’s role has been beefed up significantly. He’s Momo’s best friend, a guy trying to keep his family afloat while dreaming of being a storyteller.
- Laura Haddock as Jackie: Known from Transformers and The Recruit, she plays a pivotal role in the "temptation" of the townspeople. She’s often the face of the Grey Men’s influence, convincing people to "save" their time.
- Kim Bodnia as Beppo: The Killing Eve star plays Beppo the Sweeper. In the book, Beppo is the one who understands that if you only focus on the end of the road, you’ll never finish sweeping it. Bodnia’s rugged, soulful presence fits this perfectly.
- Jennifer Amaka Pettersson as Liliana: She plays Gino’s mother, the first one to really fall for the Grey Men’s trap.
Why This Cast Matters for the Story
This isn't just a straight 1:1 remake of the 80s movie. Christian Ditter’s version is trying to be "modern." The Grey Men don't just take time; they represent digital burnout. They’re basically personified algorithms.
Because the cast is so international, the film feels less like a German folk tale and more like a global fable. You have Araloyin Oshunremi bringing a very contemporary London energy, while Kim Bodnia brings that heavy Scandinavian weight. It’s a gamble. Sometimes these "Europudding" productions feel a bit disjointed, but with the cast of Momo film being this talented, there’s a real chance it hits the emotional beats of the book.
Production Reality Check
The film actually started its rollout in late 2025, specifically in Germany and at various film festivals. If you're looking for it in 2026, you're likely seeing the wider international streaming or theatrical release.
📖 Related: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
One thing to keep an eye on is the music. It’s a weird detail, but the soundtrack features Tokio Hotel. It tells you a lot about the "vibe" they’re going for—sort of a neon-tinted, slightly edgy fantasy rather than a dusty period piece.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan of the original Michael Ende book, keep your expectations in check regarding the "modernization." The core of the cast of Momo film is solid, especially Martin Freeman and Alexa Goodall.
To prepare for the watch, it's worth revisiting the 1986 version starring Radost Bokel and John Huston. It’s a wildly different beast—more tactile, more puppet-heavy, and definitely more "80s weird." Comparing the two gives you a great look at how our perception of "wasted time" has changed from the era of TV to the era of the smartphone.
Keep a lookout for the digital release dates in your region, as the theatrical windows for international fantasy films can be pretty unpredictable this year.