Everything You Need to Know About Martin Scorsese's 'What Happens at Night': Plot, Release Date & More
This film is sure to be a must-see for fans of psychological horror, as well as for those who follow the work of Scorsese, DiCaprio, and Lawrence.
Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are one of the most prolific creative duos in cinema history. Over the course of two decades, they collaborated on six movies, including Gangs of New York, The Departed, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Now, the duo has reunited for What Happens at Night. This time, Scorsese departs from his usual crime epics and historical dramas in favor of psychological horror, a genre he has yet to explore in its purest form.
When Will 'What Happens at Night' Be Released?
The exact premiere date has not yet been announced. Preliminary reports suggest What Happens at Night will be released in late 2026 or early 2027.
Filming will likely continue until mid-2026, after which post-production will begin.
What Will 'What Happens at Night' Be About?
An American couple without children arrives in a small Eastern European town to adopt a child. Their journey is complicated further by the fact that the wife is terminally ill, and the couple fears that her illness will cause problems with the paperwork.
They stay at the eerily empty Borgarfjaroasysla Grand Imperial hotel. The hotel is inhabited by eccentric characters, including an extravagant singer, a depraved businessman, and a mysterious healer.
Reality begins to blur: the more the characters try to take the child, the less they understand themselves, their marriage, and life itself.
The original novel has been compared to Kubrick's The Shining and David Lynch's Twin Peaks. This is Scorsese's first pure horror movie – he had only previously touched on the genre in Shutter Island and Cape Fear. Before filming began, Scorsese recommended that DiCaprio watch Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo.
Who Made 'What Happens at Night' & Who Stars in It?
Martin Scorsese is directing the movie, marking his seventh collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio. Patrick Marber, an Oscar nominee for Notes on a Scandal, wrote the screenplay. According to insiders, Paul Thomas Anderson revised the script later at DiCaprio's request.
DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence star in the lead roles. Also appearing in the movie are Patricia Clarkson, who will likely play a singer, and Jared Harris, who will likely portray a businessman.
Rodrigo Prieto, the cinematographer who worked with Scorsese on The Wolf of Wall Street and Killers of the Flower Moon, is responsible for the visual language.
