Nicolas Winding Refn talks leaning into genre and unreality in ‘Her Private Hell’

Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Sammie Purcell, Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) · July 24, 2026 · 13 min read

In the lead up to the release of his new film “Her Private Hell” – his first film since 2016’s “The Neon Demon” – filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn has spoken extensively about a near-death experience that he says left him dead for 25 minutes during heart surgery. That experience left him reeling, h...

Why this matters in The Atlanta

The release of Nicolas Winding Refn's "Her Private Hell" is likely to generate significant interest among Atlanta's film enthusiasts, given the city's growing reputation as a hub for independent cinema. Refn's unconventional approach to storytelling, which blends elements of melodrama, horror, and opera, may resonate with local audiences who have come to expect innovative and genre-pushing films from the city's thriving film scene. As the city continues to attract filmmakers and production companies, the success of "Her Private Hell" could have implications for the local film industry, potentially inspiring other filmmakers to experiment with unconventional narrative structures and genres. With its unique blend of classic and modern sensibilities, "Her Private Hell" may also appeal to fans of Atlanta's own vibrant arts and culture scene, which has long been characterized by its eclectic mix of traditional and avant-garde influences.

About this story

Original reporting by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods). The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) · Reading time: 13 min

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Summary created by	The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Sammie Purcell, Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Nicolas Winding Refn talks leaning into genre and unreality in ‘Her Private Hell’

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