We recently learned that Nicolas Winding Refn set aside his long-delayed passion project “The Avenging Silence” in favor of a new film, titled “Her Private Hell.”
Here’s a major update: Refn’s latest, which stars Charles Melton, Sophie Thatcher, Kristine Froseth, and Havana Rose Liu, has started production in Tokyo, Japan, according to NEON. A 2026 release now seems very likely.
While specific plot details are still under wraps—as is typical for Refn—the director stated that his film will have English and Japanese dialogue.
Refn describes “Her Private Hell” as an original story filled with “glitter, sex, and violence”—in other words, signature territory for the filmmaker. It will also revisit themes and possibly characters from some of his previous works, like “The Neon Demon” and “Only God Forgives.” We can likely expect a surreal, intense experience in line with his trademark style.
“Her Private Hell” marks Refn’s return to feature filmmaking after nearly a decade. His last movie, “The Neon Demon” (2016), divided audiences at Cannes with its dreamlike, body-horror aesthetic. Refn’s notable filmography also includes “Drive,” “Bronson,” and the ‘Pusher’ trilogy.
In recent years, Refn has focused on television, directing Netflix’s “Copenhagen Cowboy,” Amazon’s “Too Old to Die Young,” and producing the BBC’s The Famous Five.