Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Shūsaku Endo’s 1966 novel Silence has been a long time coming, but it looks like it was worth the wait. The trailer, which dropped Tuesday night, is beautiful and meticulous, and sets the film up as a strong awards contender once it’s released in December.

The movie follows two Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century—played by Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield—who take a dangerous journey through Japan to spread the word of God and search for their mentor (Liam Neeson).

Scorsese, who originally considered becoming a priest before getting into filmmaking, has been wanting to adapt Endo’s book for decades.

“The subject matter presented by Shusaku Endo was in my life since I was very, very young,” the director said during a 2015 press conference. “I was very much involved in religion, I was raised in a strong Catholic family… so ultimately this book drew my attention when it was given to me in 1988.”

Silence will hit theaters December 23.