Leonardo DiCaprio sent social media into a frenzy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, with the first look at his dramatic new appearance in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Gothic psychological horror film “What Happens at Night,” co-starring Jennifer Lawrence. The image, shared by Apple Original Films and DiCaprio himself, shows the Oscar-winning actor sporting a bold mustache alongside Lawrence in period clothing, walking through a snow-covered landscape that sets an immediately chilling tone.
The production marks another collaboration between DiCaprio and the legendary director, who have created cinematic magic together for over two decades. Apple Studios announced that “What Happens at Night” is now in principal photography, adapting Peter Cameron’s acclaimed 2020 novel of the same name into what promises to be one of the most anticipated releases of the coming year. The screenplay adaptation comes from Oscar-nominated writer Patrick Marber, known for his work on “Notes on a Scandal.”
According to Variety’s reporting, the film follows a married American couple who travel to a small, snowy European town to adopt a baby. As they check into a cavernous, largely deserted hotel, they encounter an enigmatic cast of characters—including a flamboyant chanteuse, a depraved businessman, and a charismatic faith healer. Nothing is quite as it seems in this strange, frozen world. As the couple struggles to claim their baby, the less they seem to know about themselves and the marriage they’ve built together.
The supporting cast adds serious dramatic weight to the project. Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson, Jared Harris, and Welker White round out the ensemble, bringing significant acting firepower to what Variety describes as a “haunted marriage drama” that could have Scorsese back in “‘Shutter Island’ psychological horror mode.”
DiCaprio’s new mustache dominated the conversation when the images dropped. During a Variety “Actors on Actors” conversation, Lawrence asked DiCaprio what she should know about working with Scorsese. “It’s a great thing, and he’s going to give you a lot of film references,” DiCaprio told her, noting that the director provides DVDs and sometimes holds “screenings for just one sequence in a movie.”
Jennifer Lawrence’s involvement has generated equal excitement, particularly among awards watchers. Lawrence won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for “Silver Linings Playbook” at the 85th Academy Awards in 2013, becoming the second-youngest winner in that category. Her range—from blockbuster franchises to prestige dramatic work—has established her as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and respected stars.
The partnership between DiCaprio and Scorsese spans over two decades, dating back to “Gangs of New York” in 2002. “What Happens at Night” marks their seventh collaboration. Previous team-ups include “The Aviator,” “The Departed,” “Shutter Island,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Their work together has been nominated for a combined thirty-one Academy Awards, winning nine—including Scorsese’s long-awaited Best Director and Best Picture wins for “The Departed.”
DiCaprio and Lawrence previously starred together in Adam McKay’s climate crisis satire “Don’t Look Up” in 2021, which earned four Academy Award nominations. That film saw them play astronomers desperately trying to warn humanity about an approaching comet, a darkly comic premise that showcased their natural chemistry. “What Happens at Night” reunites them in a far more intimate and unsettling setting.
Principal photography commenced February 24, 2026, in the Czech Republic, with support from the Czech Film Commission. The snowy landscapes visible in the first-look images suggest the production is fully embracing the novel’s cold, dreamlike atmosphere. Apple has not yet announced a release date, though speculation points to a potential premiere at a major festival in 2027.
StudioCanal’s involvement as a co-producer signals significant international appeal and resources behind the project. The production company acquired the novel rights in 2023 and has backed numerous acclaimed films, bringing European sensibilities that could enhance the film’s Continental setting. Scorsese will direct and produce for his Sikelia Productions banner, with DiCaprio, Lawrence, and Daniel Lupi also serving as producers.
Cameron’s novel drew comparisons to Stephen King’s “The Shining” and David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” for its dreamlike quality and psychological unease. The book was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize for Fiction, earning praise for its spare, cinematic prose. Cameron himself expressed enthusiasm about the adaptation, telling Deadline in 2023 that “to have Martin Scorsese and Patrick Marber, two artists whose talents amaze me, reimagining and recreating ‘What Happens at Night’ is simply as good as it gets.”
While Scorsese and DiCaprio have enjoyed a legendary run as collaborators, “What Happens at Night” marks Scorsese’s first time directing Lawrence—and only the second time she’s starred alongside DiCaprio. The combination of established chemistry between director and leading man, plus the addition of Lawrence’s formidable talent, positions the film as a potential awards contender whenever it reaches audiences.