Nicolas Winding Refn Returns with 'Her Private Hell' After Decade-Long Absence and Near-Death Experience
Her Private Hell, the latest feature from Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, has hit UK cinemas, marking his first film since 2016's The Neon Demon. The 55-year-old director refers to the ten-year hiatus as a period of creative stagnation, which was interrupted by heart surgery in 2023 that left him clinically dead for over 20 minutes. During this interval, he produced two series, established the streaming service byNWR, and crafted an installation for Prada. The film stars Sophie Thatcher as Elle, Dougray Scott as Johnny Thunders, and Charles Melton as Private K, all connected by a sinister spirit. Refn describes the movie as a "triangle of fathers" and intends to direct a remake of Maniac Cop next year.
Key facts
- Her Private Hell is Nicolas Winding Refn's first feature film since 2016's The Neon Demon
- Refn was clinically dead for over 20 minutes during heart surgery in 2023
- The film stars Sophie Thatcher, Charles Melton, Dougray Scott and Havana Rose Liu
- Refn created two TV series, a streaming platform byNWR and a Prada installation during the decade-long gap
- Over 1,000 actresses were seen for the role of Elle before Thatcher was cast
- Melton was cast after Refn watched Riverdale with his daughter Lizzielou
- Refn describes the film's father figures as a 'triangle of fathers' and self-portraits
- Refn plans to shoot his remake of Maniac Cop next year
- Her Private Hell is out now in UK cinemas
Entities
Artists
- Nicolas Winding Refn
- Sophie Thatcher
- Charles Melton
- Dougray Scott
- Havana Rose Liu
- Dario Argento
- Lizzielou Refn
Institutions
- Prada
- byNWR
- Another Magazine
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- United Kingdom