Nicolas Winding Refn returns with new film Her Private Hell

Director Nicolas Winding Refn returns to feature filmmaking with his new project, ‘Her Private Hell’, following a decade-long hiatus and a near-fatal cardiac arrest in 2019. The film, which premiered out of competition at Cannes, is described by Refn as a fairy tale centered on themes of memory, desire, and fantasy.

The narrative follows Elle, a young actress played by Sophie Thatcher, who returns to her family hotel while her filmmaker father is shooting a project. The story explores the fractured relationship between fathers and daughters through a surreal, highly stylized lens. The cast also includes Havana Rose Liu and Charles Melton.

Refn has discussed his creative process in relation to the film, noting that his approach is influenced by the ‘dream machine’ of analog television from his childhood. He emphasizes a move away from conventional causality toward a visual language that embraces imperfection and the boundaries between creativity and madness.