Todd Haynes is bringing classic noir into 2025 with a twist Hollywood hasn’t seen before.
His upcoming film “De Noche” pairs Pedro Pascal with Danny Ramirez in a subversive 1930s love story that’s already generating serious buzz.
After Joaquin Phoenix’s unexpected departure last year threatened to derail production, cameras are finally set to roll next month on what might be Haynes’ most ambitious project yet.
And if his Oscar-nominated “May December” was any indication, audiences are in for something extraordinary.
From Phoenix to Pascal: A Casting Shake-Up That Worked Out
When Phoenix exited the project in 2024, many wondered if “De Noche” would ever see the light of day. Fast forward to now, and Pascal’s involvement has breathed new life into the production.
The “Mandalorian” star has been strategically balancing blockbuster franchises like Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” with prestige independent films including A24’s “Materialists” and “Eddington.” This marks his first collaboration with Haynes, a pairing that has cinephiles marking their calendars.
Danny Ramirez, known for his breakout role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” joins Pascal as his younger lover in what promises to be a career-defining performance for both actors.
A Love Story Wrapped in Noir
Haynes co-wrote the screenplay with longtime collaborator Jon Raymond, crafting a narrative that echoes classic noirs like “Chinatown” while pushing boundaries in representation. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the film follows a hard-boiled detective and a boarding school teacher who fall into a passionate, unexpected romance.
But this isn’t just another period romance. The lovers become targets of Los Angeles’ corrupt political machine, forcing them to flee to Mexico as the world teeters on the brink of war.
Haynes connected the film’s themes directly to modern times, stating:
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 didn’t stop there, emphasizing the film’s deeper message:
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.
The Powerhouse Team Behind the Camera
Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler are producing, bringing their extensive experience with LGBTQ+ cinema to the project. Their production company has been behind groundbreaking films for decades, making them perfect partners for Haynes’ vision.
French indie banner MK2 Films is financing and handling international sales, alongside co-repping domestic rights with Cinetic Media. MK2’s recent portfolio includes Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent,” establishing their credibility in auteur-driven cinema.
Additional production support comes from Paloma Negra Films, with financing from IPR.VC, Yggdrasil, Léger Production, Mid March, Pluto and Leaf Entertainment.
Why This Project Matters Now
Fionnuala Jamison, managing director of MK2 Films, positioned “De Noche” as continuation of Haynes’ legacy:
Few filmmakers connect with audiences as strongly as Todd Haynes.
She highlighted his previous work as proof of concept:
Films 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.
Jamison will kick off sales at the European Film Market in Berlin, where international distributors are expected to compete fiercely for rights.
Haynes’ Track Record Speaks Volumes
The director’s last film, “May December,” earned an Oscar nomination for best screenplay and reminded audiences why he remains one of cinema’s most vital voices. His ability to blend gorgeous period aesthetics with psychologically complex narratives has made him a favorite among critics and audiences alike.
“Carol,” his 2015 masterpiece starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, demonstrated his exceptional talent for crafting queer love stories with universal resonance. “Far from Heaven” similarly explored forbidden desire against lush 1950s backdrops.
“De Noche” appears poised to join that prestigious lineage while offering something genuinely fresh: a gay noir centered on masculine archetypes traditionally reserved for heterosexual narratives.
What to Expect When Filming Begins
With production scheduled to start next month, here’s what makes this project particularly exciting:
- Genre-bending storytelling: Classic noir aesthetics meet contemporary queer cinema
- A-list talent: Pascal’s star power combined with Ramirez’s rising profile
- Historical resonance: 1930s corruption paralleling modern political crises
- Authentic representation: Haynes’ outspoken activism informing nuanced LGBTQ+ storytelling
- International scope: Story spanning Los Angeles to Mexico, expanding visual possibilities
The Bigger Picture
Hollywood has made significant strides in LGBTQ+ representation, but major studio films still rarely center gay romance within traditionally “masculine” genres like noir or westerns. “De Noche” challenges that limitation head-on.
By casting Pascal—an actor known for playing rugged, conventionally masculine roles—as a detective caught in forbidden love, Haynes is rewriting genre conventions in real time.
The 1930s setting provides both distance and uncomfortable proximity. While audiences can view Los Angeles’ historical corruption as safely past, Haynes clearly intends parallels with contemporary issues to resonate deeply.
As production gears up and international sales begin, “De Noche” represents more than just another prestige indie film. It’s a statement about whose stories deserve classic Hollywood treatment, whose love gets immortalized in gorgeous cinematography, and which voices shape cinema’s future.
Shooting starts next month. Expect this one to dominate festival circuits by 2026.