Mads Mikkelsen Joins DiCaprio and Lawrence in ‘What Happens at Night’

Scorsese’s ‘Ghost Story’ Gets Its Mystic: Mads Mikkelsen Joins DiCaprio and Lawrence in ‘What Happens at Night’

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC — Martin Scorsese is assembling a formidable ensemble for what is being described as his most atmospheric project in decades. International star Mads Mikkelsen has officially closed a deal to join Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in What Happens at Night, an unsettling psychological thriller for Apple Original Films.

The casting adds a layer of European gravitas to a project that is already being hailed as one of the most anticipated productions of 2026. Mikkelsen, known for his chillingly sophisticated turns in Hannibal and Casino Royale, is set to play a pivotal character named Brother Emmanuel.

A Liminal Nightmare

Based on the 2020 novel by Peter Cameron, the film follows a married American couple (played by DiCaprio and Lawrence) who travel to a remote, snowbound European town to adopt a baby. As the wife’s health begins to fail and the adoption process hits bureaucratic snags, they check into a cavernous, near-empty hotel where the staff and fellow guests feel like manifestations of a fever dream.

Mikkelsen’s Brother Emmanuel is described as a "charismatic faith healer" who crosses paths with the couple as they begin to lose their grip on reality. The role marks Mikkelsen's first time working under Scorsese’s direction, a "bucket list" collaboration for the Danish actor.

The "Prague" Residency

The news comes as pre-production reaches a fever pitch in Central Europe. Scorsese has already arrived in Prague, with local reports confirming that the city's historic center will be transformed into the fictional, wintry locale for a shoot beginning in March 2026.

Speaking recently at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, DiCaprio confirmed he would be heading to the Czech capital in "two weeks" to begin filming.

A High-Prestige Powerhouse

What Happens at Night represents a reunion of titans across the board:

• The Scorsese-DiCaprio Seventh: This marks the seventh feature film collaboration between the director and his longtime muse, following 2023’s Killers of the Flower Moon.

• The Apple Era: The project continues Apple’s aggressive pursuit of prestige cinema, partnering once again with Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions.

• The Script: Adapted by Patrick Marber (Closer, Notes on a Scandal), the screenplay is expected to emphasize the "dream-like and destabilizing" tone of the source material.

• The Lens: Four-time Oscar nominee Rodrigo Prieto returns as cinematographer, promising a visual style distinct from the operatic crime epics of Scorsese’s past.

“Inwardly Destabilizing”

Unlike the sprawling historical scope of The Wager (another Scorsese-DiCaprio project in development), What Happens at Night is being described by insiders as a "pressure chamber" piece. With Patricia Clarkson also confirmed for a supporting role, the film is leaning into an "all-killer ensemble" that prioritizes mood and psychological dread over traditional plot mechanics.

As the fog rolls into the streets of Prague this March, the pairing of DiCaprio’s intensity, Lawrence’s vulnerability, and Mikkelsen’s enigmatic presence suggests that Scorsese’s "ghost story" will be a haunting centerpiece of the 2027 awards season.