Todd Haynes’ subversive noir romance De Noche moves forward with Pedro Pascal cast as a hard-boiled detective opposite Danny Ramirez, who plays his younger lover. This casting follows Joaquin Phoenix’s departure from the project last year, and filming is scheduled to start next month. The story unfolds in 1930s Los Angeles, focusing on a dangerous love affair amid political corruption and looming global conflict.
Production and Financing Details for ‘De Noche’
The project is being financed by MK2 Films, a Paris-based independent company known for backing acclaimed films such as Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent. MK2 also handles international sales and shares domestic rights representation with Cinetic Media. Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler are producing, alongside Jonathan Montepare of Paloma Negra Films and Steven Demmler, with support from IPR.VC, Yggdrasil, Léger Production, Mid March, Pluto, and Leaf Entertainment.
A Classic Noir Love Story Set in Corrupt 1930s Los Angeles
Written by Todd Haynes and longtime collaborator Jon Raymond, De Noche evokes the style of classic noir films like Chinatown. The narrative details the intense and unexpected romance between a detective, portrayed by Pascal, and a boarding school teacher, played by Ramirez. As they become targets of Los Angeles’ corrupt political machine, their only option is to escape to Mexico, highlighting themes of love and survival during a turbulent era rife with domestic corruption and escalating global tensions.
Pedro Pascal’s Expanding Range and First Haynes Collaboration
This film marks Pedro Pascal’s inaugural collaboration with director Todd Haynes. Pascal has been balancing prominent roles across both large-scale franchises and independent cinema, appearing in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps as well as indie films like A24’s Materialists and Eddington. His casting brings significant star power and nuance to this period drama.
Todd Haynes Highlights Political and Emotional Themes in the Film
Haynes described the narrative as a reflection of an era resonant with contemporary issues. He remarked,
This story, with Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez in the two leads, arises out of an era — all too relevant to our own — of domestic corruption, racial exploitation and global terror.
He further emphasized the emotional core of the film, saying,
But it emerges as a testament to the inexplicable powers of desire and love to survive and overcome even the most crippling of human barriers,
underlining the story’s focus on the resilience of human connection.
MK2 Films Expresses Confidence in Haynes and the Project
Fionnuala Jamison, managing director of MK2 Films, praised Todd Haynes’ ability to engage audiences, stating,
Few filmmakers connect with audiences as strongly as Todd Haynes.
She added,
such as ‘Carol’ and ‘Far from Heaven’ have left a lasting emotional impact worldwide. ‘De Noche’ carries that same power, and with Killer Films and a remarkable cast led by Pedro Pascal, it is a stand-out project we are proud to be a part of and share with buyers.
Production Partners and Festival Plans
Alongside MK2 and Killer Films, producers include Paloma Negra Films, with Jonathan Montepare and Steven Demmler associated. Financing partners include IPR.VC in collaboration with MK2, Yggdrasil, Léger Production, Mid March, Pluto, and Leaf Entertainment. MK2 Films is continuing its strong festival presence, attending the Berlinale with Kornél Mundruczó’s At the Sea, which features Oscar-nominated Amy Adams and will premiere in competition. MK2 has recently enjoyed significant recognition, earning multiple Golden Globe wins and European Film Awards, alongside numerous Oscar and BAFTA nominations for films including Sentimental Value, The Secret Agent, and It Was Just an Accident.
Significance and Upcoming Developments for ‘De Noche’
De Noche represents a compelling addition to Todd Haynes’ body of work, blending political intrigue with a poignant love story set against the backdrop of a city rife with corruption. Pedro Pascal’s involvement elevates the film’s profile, promising a performance charged with complexity. As production commences, anticipation grows for a film that explores timely themes through the lens of noir, likely resonating with contemporary audiences while shining a light on historical injustices and the power of human connection.
