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A new Scorsese ensemble grows colder and stranger
Martin Scorsese’s next film, What Happens at Night, has quietly become one of the most anticipated projects on the festival circuit even before cameras roll. Studiocanal’s production recently added Mads Mikkelsen—known for Casino Royale, Hannibal and the Oscar-winning Another Round—to a cast already anchored by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The lineup promises a high-caliber collision of acting talent and directorial vision.
A dreamlike tale: synopsis and tone
Based on a novel by Peter Cameron and adapted by playwright-screenwriter Patrick Marber, the story follows an American couple who travel to a small, snowbound European town to adopt an infant. They lodge in a vast, nearly abandoned hotel and encounter a roster of enigmatic figures: a strange singer, a corrupt merchant and a charismatic healer. As the couple pursues the child they hope to claim, the edges of their own identities and relationship begin to blur. Early descriptions suggest a film that is less procedural and more psychological fable—Scorsese working in mood, memory and myth rather than mob drama.
What the creative team signals
Patrick Marber’s involvement hints at sharp, character-driven dialogue and a focus on interpersonal tension (Marber’s previous work includes the play Closer). Rodrigo Prieto, an Oscar-nominated cinematographer, has signed on to craft the film’s visual language; his presence suggests a polished, atmospheric look that will heighten the film’s icy, uncanny setting.
Comparisons and context
This will be Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio’s seventh collaboration—following projects from Gangs of New York to Killers of the Flower Moon—so audiences will naturally look for echoes of their past work. Yet What Happens at Night sounds closer in spirit to Shutter Island or The Shining than to classic Scorsese gangster pictures: it promises a confined, haunting environment where reality and perception twist. Mikkelsen’s casting adds another layer; his recent choices show a talent adept at playing morally ambiguous, quietly intense characters, which fits perfectly in a film about erosion of self.
From an industry perspective, the film also reflects current trends: prestige auteurs adapting literary material with international settings and star ensembles, aiming both for awards and festival buzz. Studiocanal’s backing points to a European production scope that may lean into local locations and a global release strategy.
Behind the scenes and fan reaction
Production is due to begin next month, with reports suggesting the rest of the cast will be finalized before cameras roll. Fans on social media have already celebrated Mikkelsen’s addition, noting how his presence raises expectations for a performance that’s quietly magnetic. Trivia-minded viewers will also notice the unusual collaboration of Scorsese with actors known for very different screen personas—DiCaprio’s intense lead energy, Lawrence’s emotional range, and Mikkelsen’s measured menace.
"Scorsese pairing DiCaprio with an actor like Mikkelsen opens a new tonal chapter for the director," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "This project looks like an opportunity for Scorsese to explore vulnerability and identity in a way he hasn’t on screen before. It could be a quietly radical film for his canon."
Critically, the project is already a conversation starter: will Scorsese’s established themes—obsession, morality, identity—translate into a slow-burning, dreamlike piece? Or will expectations around big-name collaborations change how audiences receive it? Either way, What Happens at Night feels like a deliberate pivot, promising to be one of the year’s most intriguing auteur-led films.
A short final note: watch for festival news and early visuals—the combination of Scorsese’s eye, Marber’s script and Prieto’s cinematography could make this a chilly, unforgettable watch.
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