Nicolas Winding Refn Is Back (After a Decade)
Ten years is a long nap in movie time, but the director who gave us Drive has re-emerged with something loud and weird: Her Private Hell. His last feature, The Neon Demon, came out in 2016, and now Refn is back with a new vision that’s already turning heads at Cannes.
Cast to Keep an Eye On
Leading the charge are Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) and Charles Melton, plus a supporting squad that includes Kristine Frøseth, Havana Rose Liu, Dougray Scott, Diego Calva, and Shioli Kutsuna. Expect performances that lean into mood and mystery rather than cozy normalcy.
Trailer Vibes: Stylish, Strange, and Slightly Unsettling
The newly released trailer spells Refn’s fingerprints everywhere: striking visuals, off-kilter atmosphere, and a vibe that moves between dreamy and menacing. The director teases plenty of glitz, eyebrow-raising moments, and rough edges — all wrapped in a bilingual mix of Japanese and English. It’s the kind of trailer that makes you squint, laugh, and noodle theories in equal measure.
What the Movie Is About (Sort Of)
Set in a neon-soaked future city, the story centers on a young woman on a mission to find her father while a strange fog creeps across the metropolis and brings with it a dangerous, hard-to-pin-down force. Along the way she crosses paths with an American soldier who’s on his own rescue mission. Think moody sci-fi meets a personal odyssey — with a dash of the surreal.
Handle with a Wink: The Adult Bits
Refn has hinted the film contains sexual content, but don’t expect a porn fest — it’s mostly used to shock, amuse, or add to the film’s feverish tone. If there are awkwardly unclothed moments, they’re clearly meant to serve the story rather than titillate.
When You Can See It
U.S. audiences can catch Her Private Hell in theaters on July 24. French release plans haven’t been announced yet, so Paris cinephiles will have to wait for a date to materialize from the fog.
What’s Next for Refn?
And because this director never seems to rest, he’s already attached to a Maniac Cop remake. Filming is expected to start next fall, which suggests Refn may not disappear for another decade this time around.
Bottom Line
If you like bold visuals, weird tonal shifts, and directors who take chances, Her Private Hell looks like it’ll be a must-see — or at least a must-discuss — this summer.