Pop star Charli XCX has joined the cast of Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film What Happens at Night
as a cameo, according to multiple outlets. The Gothic psychological thriller, based on a 2020 novel, follows a married American couple adopting a baby in a remote European town.
The film, set for release by Apple Studios and StudioCanal, will feature Charli XCX alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, according to Thewrap and Variety. Sources describe the project as a Gothic psychological horror, though some outlets classify it as a psychological drama. The movie’s plot centers on a married American couple traveling to a small, snowy European town to adopt a baby, only to confront unsettling mysteries and their own unraveling realities.
Charli XCX’s Role in Scorsese Film
Charli XCX’s role remains unclear, with reports confirming only a cameo appearance. This follows her collaboration with Scorsese on the cover of her album Music, Fashion, Film, which featured the director alongside John Cale and Marc Jacobs. She said she had an idea to run by me,
Cale told Rolling Stone, describing how the album’s concept evolved into a creative partnership with Scorsese.
🚨 Charli xcx is confirmed to have a cameo in Martin Scorsese's upcoming film "What Happens at Night," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The film is described as a Gothic psychological horror film. pic.twitter.com/3LC5HuBocY
Scorsese’s last feature, Killers of the Flower Moon, earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. What Happens at Night will mark his first feature narrative since 2023. The director will also serve as producer, alongside DiCaprio and Lawrence, who are among the film’s executive producers. The executive producers include Lisa Frechette and Marianne Bower of Sikelia, Jennifer Davisson of Appian Way, Justine Ciarrocchi of Excellent Cadaver, and Anna Marsh, Shana Eddy Grouf, and Aaron Ensweiler of StudioCanal, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Daniel Lupi also acting as producers.
Charli XCX’s Filmography and Tour
Charli XCX has expanded her film career, appearing in seven movies over the past two years. These include The Moment, a mockumentary about her Brat era, and I Want Your Sex, directed by Gregg Araki. She is currently wrapping up her tour for the album in the U.S., with the final performance of the leg scheduled for Las Vegas on Friday.
Her filmography also includes 100 Nights of Hero, The Gallerist, and a yet-untitled Takashi Miike movie. She also appeared in Pete Ohs’ Erupja and Aidan Zamiri’s The Moment, which satirized her commercial success. Rolling Stone noted that Charli ended up in a random kitchen
during the creation of her album cover, a reference to her collaboration with Scorsese and John Cale.
Details about her role in What Happens at Night remain sparse. Representatives for Charli, Scorsese, Apple, and StudioCanal have not commented on the project, according to Rolling Stone and Variety. The film’s release date has yet to be announced.
Gothic Themes and Production
Based on Peter Cameron’s 2020 novel of the same name, the film’s gothic aesthetic aligns with Scorsese’s signature style. The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson, and Jared Harris, with production underway in Europe.
Charli XCX’s participation underscores her growing crossover into film, following her work on The Moment and Wuthering Heights, where she co-wrote music.
The film’s production team includes Apple Studios and StudioCanal, with Scorsese directing and producing for Sikelia Productions. What Happens at Night is expected to follow the success of Killers of the Flower Moon, which earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Lily Gladstone), and Best Supporting Actor (Robert DeNiro). Scorsese’s previous collaboration with DiCaprio on that film solidified their partnership, now extended to this new project.
Charli XCX’s involvement in What Happens at Night adds to her recent surge in film roles, including her appearance in Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist and her role in the Brat mockumentary. Her multimedia career continues to intersect with high-profile creative figures, as seen in her collaboration with Scorsese and the inclusion of John Cale and Marc Jacobs on her album cover. The film’s release date remains unannounced, but its production marks a significant step in Scorsese’s ongoing cinematic exploration of psychological and gothic narratives.
Charli XCX joins the cast of Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film ‘WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHT’, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/f0vCaYRIFv
More on Charli XCX
EXCLUSIVE: Charli xcx will make a cameo in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming movie “What Happens at Night,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.Described as a Gothic psychological horror film, the story follows an American married couple who travel to a small European… pic.twitter.com/4xNGSVkGsR
Charli xcx has joined the cast of Martin Scorsese’s ‘WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHT’ alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/aZtZCBtB5u