Julian Kross’s new neo-noir feature wrapped principal photography in August 2026 after 58 shooting days. Co-produced by Molang Studio Productions, it is now in post-production for a 2027 release window.
The story
Nocturne follows a sound engineer who works the night shift, restoring old tapes in a city where it never quite stops raining. In the hiss of a forgotten recording, she hears something that should not be there: a confession. The deeper she listens, the clearer it becomes that the voice on the tape belongs to someone who is still very much alive — and that she is not the only one who knows it exists.
It is a psychological thriller built on listening rather than looking. Clues arrive as sound before they arrive as images, and the audience is asked to hear the film as closely as its protagonist does.
The city is never named. It is a composite of wet neon, empty overpasses and late-night radio — a place that feels familiar without being anywhere in particular, so that the tape, and the voice on it, stay at the center of the frame.
Julian Kross behind the camera
Writer-director Julian Kross has built a body of psychological epics and high-concept neo-noir thrillers whose features have grossed roughly $650 million worldwide combined (company figure). Molang has represented him since 2016, and Nocturne was developed and co-produced with Molang Studio Productions from the first draft.
The film carries the hallmarks of his work: warm tungsten light cutting through cold, wet streets; long, unbroken takes that let scenes breathe; and practical sets that the cast can actually touch. The sound engineer’s studio, the stairwells of her building and a flooded archive were all built physically rather than in post.
“The whole film lives inside her headphones. If we did our job, you’ll leave the theater listening to rooms differently.” — Julian Kross
From set to post
Principal photography wrapped in August 2026 after 58 shooting days. Shooting largely at night and on practical sets kept the schedule demanding, but it gave the camera and sound teams real spaces to work in — important for a film where the acoustics of a room are part of the story.
The film is now in post-production. Because sound drives the narrative, editorial and sound design are running side by side rather than in sequence. Key areas of focus include:
- Editorial — shaping the long takes without losing their tension
- Sound design — building the layered recordings at the heart of the mystery
- Score — a restrained, textural score that leaves room for the film’s found sounds
- Color — preserving the contrast between tungsten interiors and rain-soaked exteriors
- Final mix — an immersive audio mix designed to place the audience inside the protagonist’s headphones
Release and partners
Nocturne is targeted for release in 2027. The distribution partner has not yet been announced, and release format, territories and dates will be confirmed alongside that announcement. Casting details beyond those already shared will also be released in step with the film’s campaign.
Distribution, sales and partnership inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Media requests for interviews or production stills should go to [email protected]. Julian Kross remains available for select commercial and music-video direction alongside post-production; those inquiries are handled by the booking desk at [email protected].
