‘What Happens at Night’: Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know So Far

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It’s hard to think of a more successful director-actor partnership than Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. Over the last 24 years, they’ve made six films together, including Gangs of New York (2002), The Aviator (2004), The Departed (2006), Shutter Island (2010), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). Their films cover a wide range of genres, from funny crime stories to gripping dramas and suspenseful thrillers.

Good news for fans of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio! They’re teaming up again after Killers of the Flower Moon for a new movie called What Happens at Night. This upcoming Gothic psychological horror thriller is already generating a lot of buzz. Here’s a breakdown of everything we know about the film, including the story, who’s starring, and when it might be released in theaters.

‘What Happens at Night’ Is Officially in Production


Netflix

Martin Scorsese is producing a movie called What Happens at Night, based on Peter Cameron’s 2020 novel. Patrick Marber, known for his work on Closer and Notes on a Scandal, is writing the screenplay. Scorsese signed on to direct the film in September 2025, and filming began on February 24th, 2026, in Prague.

Filming is scheduled to wrap up in late spring or early summer, with most of the work happening in Prague before moving to New York City for the final scenes. Last week, fans got a sneak peek at the movie while it was being filmed on location. Leonardo DiCaprio looks noticeably different with glasses and a mustache, and his co-star Jennifer Lawrence is sporting a cream turtleneck and tan blazer.

The Cast and Crew of Martin Scorsese’s ‘What Happens at Night’


Netflix

So, who’s all starring in What Happens at Night? Here’s the star-powered cast list thus far:

  • Leonardo DiCaprio
  • Jennifer Lawrence
  • Patricia Clarkson
  • Jared Harris
  • Mads Mikkelsen

Even though the cast is small, it’s packed with incredibly talented actors. DiCaprio and Lawrence previously collaborated on the 2021 dark comedy Don’t Look Up. They were also considered for a film about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner’s difficult relationship, directed by Scorsese, but the project is on hold because the Sinatra family didn’t approve. Scorsese also produced the upcoming 2025 film Die My Love, and he specifically chose Lawrence for the main role.

This will be Lawrence’s first time acting in a film directed by Scorsese, where she’ll star alongside DiCaprio as part of a married couple. For Clarkson, it’s her second project with the director, following their work on Shutter Island, where she played Rachel 2. Both Harris and Mikkelsen are new to Scorsese’s films. While the roles of Clarkson and Harris are being kept secret, Mikkelsen will play a mysterious character named Brother Emmanuel.

As a huge cinema fan, I’m thrilled to hear that Martin Scorsese will be directing a new film, working from a script by Richard Marber. And it’s great to see Apple continuing to back him – they were also the team behind his last masterpiece, Killers of the Flower Moon.

The Plot of ‘What Happens at Night’


NBC

The married couple is unnamed in Cameron’s book, as per its synopsis:

An American couple journeys to a remote, snow-covered European city to adopt a child. The trip is physically draining for the wife, who is battling cancer, and her husband fears her illness will jeopardize the adoption. They arrive at the Borgarfjaroasysla Grand Imperial Hotel, a vast and strangely empty place with an always-open bar and a peculiar collection of guests – including an aging performer, a dissolute businessman, and a mysterious healer. As they try to finalize the adoption, the couple finds themselves increasingly lost, not only in this bewildering, frozen landscape, but also in their own marriage and understanding of life.

Given what we know about the story, it seems likely Clarkson will play the role of a dramatic singer, and Harris will be a corrupt businessman. This is because Mikkelsen has already been cast as a mysterious healer. The story itself is strange and unsettling, mixing sadness with tension to offer a deep and reflective look at a failing marriage. The fact that the couple isn’t given names is intriguing—it helps readers connect with the characters and see themselves in their complex situation, making them feel more real.

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Leonardo DiCaprio revealed on the podcast The Big Picture that Martin Scorsese asked him to study Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo as inspiration for their new film, What Happens at Night. Scorsese wanted to capture the same dreamy and unsettling atmosphere as the classic 1958 psychological thriller, which is considered Hitchcock’s greatest work. DiCaprio explained this was part of his preparation for the role.

I’m making a film inspired by Vertigo, and I recently discussed it with Martin Scorsese. Talking movies with him is always incredible. We’re exploring similar themes – questioning reality and perception, like ‘Is this person real, or a figment of someone’s imagination?’ It’s a core idea for the project we’re developing.

‘What Happens at Night’ Release Window


Apple TV

Filming is expected to take around three to four months and will finish in New York City, according to the current schedule. This suggests the movie might be released around 2027. While a late-2024 release isn’t impossible, it’s unlikely. Either way, What Happens at Night has all the makings of a major success, thanks to the talented cast and crew.



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2026-03-15 21:39