Colin Farrell has opened his home to cameras for the first time ever for a new HBO documentary.
The 48-year-old actor appears alongside his longtime friend Emma Fogarty, a disability advocate, in “The Slightest Touch,” which follows the pair as they train to run a marathon together. The film lands on HBO Max and centers on Fogarty’s life with Epidermolysis Bullosa, commonly known as Butterfly Skin, a condition that causes skin to blister and tear from even the lightest contact.
Farrell has never allowed a camera crew near his home before, he revealed in the trailer, but made an exception to raise awareness of EB and support Fogarty. The Dublin-born star has his own deep connection to disability through his eldest son James, 23, who lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder.
People with Angelman syndrome typically have very limited or no spoken language, significant intellectual disabilities, and difficulties with balance and walking. Epilepsy and sleep issues are also common. The condition affects roughly one in every 20,000 people, with symptoms usually appearing between six and 12 months of age.
One of the most distinctive traits of those with Angelman syndrome is their frequent smiling and laughing, their infectious enthusiasm for small things, and their strong sociability.
Farrell has spoken publicly about James over the years, describing him in 2008 as “nothing but a gift,” He added at the time: “He is, as far as I’m concerned, exactly the way he should be.”
The trailer offers a rare glimpse into Farrell’s home life with his adult son, footage the actor has long shielded from public view.
In 2024, Farrell launched the Colin Farrell Foundation in James’s honor, focusing on support for adult children with intellectual disabilities. He explained that the transition out of childhood protections creates a devastating gap for families.
“Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,” he said. “All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.”
He continued: “I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”
Fogarty’s condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa, creates painful and often recurring wounds that make everyday activities most people take for granted extremely difficult. The documentary pairs her story with Farrell’s personal stake in disability advocacy through his son’s experience.
The marathon training serves as the narrative backbone of the film, with Farrell and Fogarty’s unexpected friendship developed throughout. The project marks a significant departure for the actor, who has kept his family life almost entirely separate from his public persona despite decades in the spotlight.
The trailer’s release comes as Farrell continues expanding his advocacy work beyond the foundation. His participation in the documentary represents a new level of public visibility for both his personal life and his commitment to disability rights.
“The Slightest Touch” is expected to arrive on HBO Max in the coming months.