Get ready for a chilling cinematic experience as Martin Scorsese reunites with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in the highly anticipated film, “What Happens at Night.” This gothic horror tale, based on Peter Cameron’s 2020 novel, is set to take audiences on a haunting journey through a frozen European landscape.
Currently in post-production, the film marks the seventh collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio. With backing from Apple Original Films and Studio Canal, “What Happens at Night” was filmed in the picturesque yet eerie settings of the Czech Republic and Switzerland. The story revolves around an unnamed American couple who venture into a mysterious, snow-covered city to adopt a baby, all while the wife battles a life-threatening illness.
Upon their arrival, the couple finds themselves at the sprawling, unsettling Borgarfjaroaoss Le Grand Imperial Hotel. The hotel, with its hauntingly empty halls and a bar that never closes, is home to an eclectic mix of characters, including an eccentric singer, a morally ambiguous businessman, and a captivating faith healer. As they navigate this bewildering world, the couple’s quest for parenthood becomes increasingly intertwined with questions about their marriage, identity, and the very nature of existence.
DiCaprio and Lawrence, who last shared the screen in 2021’s “Don’t Look Up,” lead a stellar cast that features Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson, Jared Harris, and Welker White. This film marks Lawrence’s debut with Scorsese, and DiCaprio has reportedly prepared her for the experience by warning her about the director’s penchant for referencing classic films, including Japanese horror and Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.”
Originally penned by Patrick Marber, the script underwent a significant transformation when acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson reportedly stepped in to rewrite it at DiCaprio’s request, further elevating the film’s pedigree. Filming commenced on February 24, 2026, with stunning locations such as Chateau Kotěra and the historic town of Úštěk adding to the film’s atmospheric backdrop.
As this haunted narrative unfolds, will it capture the Academy’s attention and lead to Oscar nominations, or will it follow in the footsteps of “Shutter Island” as a commercial success that leaves audiences pondering its deeper meanings? One thing is certain: in Scorsese’s chilling hotel, nothing is quite as it seems. What secrets lie within its walls?
