Sophie Thatcher stars in Nicolas Winding Refn’s first feature film in a decade.
Her Private Hell copped a sweet 12 minute standing ovation when it screened at Cannes, which indicates that the sort of people who will stand around clapping for that long really dig it. No shade, I just don’t think my wrists could take it, and it must get boring after a while, surely?
But the film itself looks to be anything but boring. It’s a sci-fi/slasher sort of thing, and we don’t get too many of those. Plus, it’s the first feature film from maverick Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn since 2016’s Neon Demon – that counts for a lot.
Her Private Hell Teaser
What’s the plot?
As the official synopsis tells us:
When a mysterious mist engulfs a futuristic metropolis, unleashing a deadly and elusive entity, a troubled young woman searches for her father. Her quest collides with an American GI on a harrowing odyssey to rescue his daughter from Hell.
That “deadly and elusive entity” is a serial killer by the name of Leather Man, who’s stalking his prey through the mist. How it all connects up – indeed, if it all connects up – is anyone’s guess, barring those lucky enough to be in the Cannes audience.
Who’s in it?
- Sophie Thatcher as Elle.
- Charles Melton as Private K.
- Havana Rose Liu as Dominique.
- Kristine Froseth as Hunter.
- Dougray Scott as Johnny Thunders.
- Diego Calva as Nico.
- Shioli Kutsuna as Ms. T.
- Aoi Yamada as Ms. S.
- Hidetoshi Nishijima as Hayashi.
- Parker Sawyers as Terry.
When’s it out?
Her Private Hell hits US cinemas on July 24. No word of a local release yet, but it’s a safe bet it’ll be around the same time.
What’s the vibe?
Refn can divide audiences – hell, he revels in it. Pretty much everyone loved Drive and pretty much everyone hated Only God Forgives (not your humble correspondent, rest assured), and that’s pretty indicative of how wildly opinions swing on his stuff. But hey – 12 minutes? Sounds like Refn’s got a critical hit on his hands, if not necessarily a commercial one.
