Nicolas Winding Refn returns with sci-fi film Her Private Hell

Nicolas Winding Refn returns to feature filmmaking with ‘Her Private Hell’, his first narrative long film in ten years. Set in a futuristic, neon-drenched metropolis partially inspired by Tokyo, the film follows a young actress, played by Sophie Thatcher, as she navigates a hallucinatory landscape filled with a deadly mist and a mysterious figure known as ‘The Leather Man’.

Parallel to her journey, the story involves an American soldier, portrayed by Charles Melton, searching for his daughter. The film is described as a highly stylized, sensory experience that prioritizes visual and atmospheric immersion over traditional linear storytelling. The soundtrack is composed by Pino Donaggio, blending orchestral melodies with electronic and rock elements. Critics note the film’s departure from the pop sensibilities of ‘Drive’, moving instead toward the more mystical and contemplative tones of Refn’s earlier works, ‘The Neon Demon’ and ‘Only God Forgives’.