‘Her Private Hell’ Review: Nicolas Winding Refn Delivers a Visually Bold but Polarizing Cannes Comeback

Director Nicolas Winding Refn has returned to feature filmmaking with Her Private Hell, a surreal horror-thriller that premiered during the Midnight Screenings section at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film stars Sophie Thatcher, Charles Melton, Havana Rose Liu, Diego Calva, and Kristine Froseth in a neon-drenched psychological story blending horror, fantasy, and arthouse filmmaking.

Known for films such as Drive, Bronson, and Only God Forgives, Refn once again embraces his signature visual style, filling the screen with vivid lighting, stylized violence, and dreamlike imagery. However, the latest project is likely to divide audiences due to its abstract storytelling and deliberately slow pacing.

Set in a futuristic and fog-filled world, Her Private Hell follows Elle, played by Sophie Thatcher, a famous actress isolated inside a luxury hotel while preparing to film a sci-fi production titled Candy Floss. Her emotional struggles intensify after the arrival of Dominique, portrayed by Havana Rose Liu, who is both her co-star and stepmother.

As the story unfolds, the film introduces supernatural elements, including a mysterious figure known as the Leather Man, a violent creature connected to themes of trauma, fear, and identity.

The narrative later shifts unexpectedly to postwar Tokyo, where Charles Melton’s character Kay searches for the Leather Man while confronting his own personal demons. The film blends psychological drama with slasher-inspired horror influences and stylized action sequences.

Critics at Cannes noted the film’s highly artistic presentation, with cinematographer Magnus Nordenhof Jonck creating visually striking scenes through heavy use of colored lighting, smoke-filled sets, and retro-inspired production design. Composer Pino Donaggio’s synth-driven score further adds to the film’s eerie atmosphere.

While many viewers may admire the film’s craftsmanship and ambitious aesthetic, others could find its nearly two-hour runtime emotionally distant and difficult to follow. Dialogue throughout the film leans heavily into poetic and symbolic language, reinforcing Refn’s experimental approach.

Despite its divisive reception, Her Private Hell continues the director’s long-running fascination with blending genre filmmaking and arthouse cinema. For fans of stylized horror and surreal visual storytelling, the film offers a bold cinematic experience, even if its unconventional structure may not appeal to mainstream audiences.