Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are collaborating on a gothic horror film titled What Happens At Night,set for a 2026 release. The project, adapted from Peter Cameron's novel of the same name, stars DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as a couple who travel to a remote European town to adopt a child and encounter disturbing events. According to the source report, this is Scorsese's first pure horror film and DiCaprio's first horror role since Critters 3 three decades ago.

A seventh collaboration and a first horror film for Scorsese

The partnership that began with Gangs of New York in 2002 has spanned crime dramas , historical epics, and a psychological thriller—Shutter Island—but never a pure horror film.. The source notes that Scorsese has long admired the horror genre but never fully embraced it until now. What Happens At Night thus represents a significant creative pivot for the director, whose recent work includes the epic Killers of the Flower Moon. For DiCaprio, the shift is equally striking: his only prior horror credit is the 1991 B-movie Critters 3, a far cry from this prestige adaptation.

DiCaprio returns to horror after three decades since 'Critters 3'

DiCaprio's horror hiatus is notable. The source reports that his last horror role was in his feature debut, the third installment of the Critters franchise. The actor has since built a career on dramatic and action-heavy roles, making his return to the genre a major talking point. The cast assembled for What Happens At Night—including Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson, and Jared Harris—adds further prestige,suggesting the film is being positioned as more than a genre exercise.

The gothic novel by Peter Cameron that anchors the story

According to the source, the screenplay adapts Peter Cameron's gothic horror novel, which follows a couple's unsettling journey to an isolated European town to adopt a child. the source describes the story as involving "disturbing characters and unsettling events." Cameron is known for literary fiction with psychological depth, which may explain the project's appeal to Scorsese, a director who often gravitates toward character-driven narratives even within genre frameworks.

Why horror's award-season momentum could boost the film

The source emphasizes that horror has gained increasing recognition during recent award seasons. Films like Get Out, Hereditary, and The Substance have crossed over into major categories. The combination of Scorsese's auteur reputation and DiCaprio's star power could position What Happens At Night as a contender. The source notes the film's "mystery fantasy horror blend" and suggests it is already one of the most anticipated releases of 2026, promising to elevate the genre with an auteur-driven approach.

The 2026 release window and what's known about production

The source reports a Christmas 2026 premiere as likely, though an exact release date remains unconfirmed. Beyond the cast and the novel adaptation, few details about production timelines or budget have emerged. Open questions include how closely Scorsese will adhere to Cameron's source material,whether the film leans into supernatural horror or psychological dread, and how the European setting will be realized. What is clear is that this project marks a deliberate departure for both filmmakers, and its success will depend on how effectively they translate their established strengths into an unfamiliar genre.