Martyrs Director Pascal Laugier Returns to Horror with Vampire Film Nocturnal
French filmmaker Pascal Laugier, best known for pushing horror audiences to their absolute limits with Martyrs, is officially returning to the genre with a brand new vampire project titled Nocturnal.
According to Deadline, Laugier will direct the film from a screenplay by David Birke (Slender Man), with production aiming to begin this autumn in Latvia. And if Laugier’s past work is anything to go by, this is not going to be your typical bloodsucking tale.
Set in 1943 during World War II, Nocturnal follows a group of refugees fleeing Vichy France who attempt a desperate crossing of the English Channel. Instead of safety, they find themselves stranded on a remote island that is far from deserted. What awaits them is an ancient, supernatural evil, one that spreads like a curse. One by one, the refugees succumb to undeath, transforming into something monstrous, until only a single survivor remains.
That lone human must now navigate a horrifying new reality, trapped among what was once her group, now twisted into a violent and perverse community of the undead.
If that premise sounds bleak, disturbing, and emotionally brutal, then it’s very much in line with Laugier’s filmography.
His breakthrough film, Martyrs (2008), remains one of the most talked-about horror films of the 21st century. Part of the so-called New French Extremity movement, Martyrs is infamous for its unflinching violence and deeply philosophical themes, exploring trauma, suffering, and the search for meaning in a way that left audiences shaken and divided. It’s not just a horror film, it’s an endurance test, and for many, a masterpiece of extreme cinema.
Laugier followed that with The Tall Man (2012), a very different kind of horror. Starring Jessica Biel, the film initially presents itself as a supernatural child-abduction mystery before revealing a much more grounded and morally complex story. It’s a film that plays with audience expectations, pulling the rug out from under viewers who think they know where it’s going.
Then came Incident in a Ghostland (2018), which marked a return to more intense horror territory. The film centres on two sisters dealing with a traumatic home invasion, blending psychological horror with brutal physical violence. Like Martyrs, it’s a film that doesn’t shy away from discomfort, instead forcing the audience to sit with it. While perhaps not as widely celebrated as Martyrs, it has built a strong following and is often praised for its atmosphere and performances.
What ties all of Laugier’s work together is his fascination with trauma, identity, and survival, particularly through the lens of female characters. His protagonists are often pushed to their absolute limits, both physically and psychologically, and Nocturnal appears to continue that trend.
Speaking about the project, Laugier described David Birke’s script as something truly special.
He called it “the most powerful, most original story” he has read in a long time, praising its ability to combine a terrifying narrative with deeply emotional character work. He also highlighted Birke’s approach to genre, noting that while the script embraces familiar horror archetypes, it twists them in unexpected and sophisticated ways.
That’s an encouraging sign, especially when it comes to vampire films, a subgenre that has been explored countless times over the decades.
From the gothic elegance of Hammer Horror and Christopher Lee’s Dracula, to the stylish cool of The Lost Boys and the gritty realism of Near Dark, vampires have taken many forms. In recent years, filmmakers have continued to experiment with the concept, blending horror with romance, action, and even dark comedy.
But Laugier believes Nocturnal stands apart.
“I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of vampire films in my life,” he said, “but I’ve never seen one like Nocturnal.”
Writer David Birke shares that passion for the genre, revealing that his fascination with vampires began at a young age, shaped in part by childhood nightmares inspired by classic horror imagery. He describes Nocturnal as a project that has been with him for years, something he has repeatedly returned to and refined.
Interestingly, Birke compares the film not just to vampire stories, but to works like Picnic at Hanging Rock and Lord of the Flies, suggesting that Nocturnal will lean heavily into themes of isolation, societal breakdown, and the loss of humanity.
That combination of influences, paired with Laugier’s uncompromising style, could result in something genuinely unique within the genre.
At a time when horror continues to evolve and audiences are increasingly open to bold, challenging storytelling, Nocturnal feels like a perfect fit. It has the potential to deliver not just scares, but something far more unsettling. A story that lingers.
And if Pascal Laugier is truly back in full force, it’s safe to say we should all be at least a little bit nervous.
