Pablo Larraín’s Netflix Film “Once” Revisits Chile’s 1973 Coup

Netflix will begin principal photography on “Once” in the second half of 2026. The film dramatizes eleven interwoven stories set over the eighteen hours after Chile’s military coup on 11 September 1973, ending with the bombing of La Moneda Palace and the death of President Salvador Allende. The narrative spans the eighteen-hour window from the coup’s onset to the palace bombing.

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Director Pablo Larraín co-wrote the script with Guillermo Calderón. Production is led by Fabula, with Juan de Dios Larraín, Rocío Jadue, Alejandro Wise and Mariane Hartard as producers. The cast includes Alfredo Castro, Marcelo Alonso, Octavia Bernasconi, Roberto Farías, Fernanda Finsterbusch, Alejandro Goic, Camila Milenka, Valentina Muhr, Marcial Tagle and Lukas Vergara. Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, production designer Guy Hendrix and VFX supervisor Andrew Jackson join the crew, marking Prieto’s first collaboration with Larraín. The partnership marks Larraín’s first work with Prieto, whose cinematography includes Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” and Jackson, an Oscar-winning VFX supervisor known for collaborations with Christopher Nolan.

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“Once” extends Netflix’s investment in high-caliber Latin-American storytelling, building on prior collaborations with Larraín such as “The Count” and “My Sad Dead.” By focusing on personal narratives within a national trauma, the film aims to broaden global awareness of the 1973 Chilean crisis and showcase Chilean talent on a worldwide platform. The film’s eleven interlinked vignettes illustrate how the national trauma unfolded in personal lives.

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Netflix Latin America VP Francisco Ramos said the company is “committed to Latin America storytelling of the highest caliber and quality,” praising Larraín’s cast and crew and calling the screenplay “extraordinary.” Ramos highlighted DP Rodrigo Prieto and production designer Guy Hendrix as evidence of high production values. Larraín thanked Netflix for its support, noting it enables him to tackle “a big and wonderful challenge: a war movie.” No criticism or opposition was reported in the sources.

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• “We are committed to Latin America storytelling of the highest caliber and quality. Pablo has assembled an amazing cast and crew, including [DP] Rodrigo Prieto and [Production Designer] Guy Hendrix, and his original screenplay co-written with Guillermo Calderón is just extraordinary.” — Francisco Ramos, VP of Latin American Original Content, Netflix

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• “Thanks to the trust and support from Netflix and to the work of truly great artists, I’m now facing a big and wonderful challenge: a war movie,” — Pablo Larraín, Director

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• “Once” is slated to start principal photography in the second half of the year.” — Variety article (source)

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After filming, post-production will be overseen by VFX supervisor Andrew Jackson, followed by editing and marketing. The final product will stream worldwide on Netflix, expanding the reach of Chilean historical cinema. Netflix will announce a release window once the final cut is completed.

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