Nocturnal Entertainment Launches with Netflix Deal for WWII Thriller “Play Dead”

Nocturnal Entertainment, a newly formed film and television financier and production company, officially began operations after selling its inaugural feature, the World War II thriller “Play Dead,” to Netflix. The film, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Noah Jupe and Matthias Schweighöfer, represents the company’s first fully financed project. The Netflix acquisition marks the initial revenue-generating transaction for Nocturnal and establishes its entry into the global streaming market.

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Nocturnal positions itself as a technology-enabled creative suite that engages filmmakers early in development and remains involved through production. The company emphasizes a hybrid approach that blends the speed, control, flexibility, and price point of independent filmmaking with studio-level quality. Its sister company, NantStudios, supplies “cutting-edge previsualization tools and advanced virtual production infrastructure,” including Los Angeles and Melbourne soundstages equipped for performance capture, in-camera visual effects, and motion control. By leveraging the Unreal Engine workflow, Nocturnal aims to streamline decision-making and reduce off-screen costs while preserving on-screen creativity.

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The venture is led by producers Keaton Heinrichs and Akiva Nemetsky. Both executives describe the firm’s mission as providing filmmakers with a “runway and safety net” to workshop ambitious ideas before execution. Nocturnal also announced a strategic relationship with the Los Angeles Times, granting the company access to the newspaper’s intellectual property for future development. The firm intends to actively develop material for a range of partners, including studios, independent filmmakers, and streaming platforms.

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Heinrichs and Nemetsky emphasized that “Play Dead” exemplifies Nocturnal’s operating philosophy, noting the company’s commitment to backing bold, period-specific projects. They highlighted the goal of offering creators early-stage support while employing modern production tools to maintain cinematic discipline. The leadership also stressed that the integration of virtual-production technology is intended to lower production overhead and enhance creative decision-making.

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• “‘Play Dead’ reflects how we’re built to operate,” — Keaton Heinrichs, Producer, Nocturnal Entertainment

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• “We back bold swings, period.” — Akiva Nemetsky, Producer, Nocturnal Entertainment

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• “By working closely with productions to take advantage of the more streamlined and efficient workflow offered by the Unreal Engine, we can provide filmmakers with a suite of visualization and virtual production tools that empower them to make informed decisions early on in the process,” — Keaton Heinrichs & Akiva Nemetsky

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• “As financial pressures on creative teams increase, we want to provide a creative environment that reduces off-screen costs and invests in on-screen creativity and quality.” — Keaton Heinrichs & Akiva Nemetsky

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Nocturnal’s next project is slated to begin filming on its technologically advanced Melbourne soundstage this fall, utilizing the same virtual-production capabilities highlighted in its launch statements.

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The available sources provide a single, consistent description of Nocturnal’s launch and strategy; no contradictory information or notable gaps have been identified.

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