Lynne Ramsay’s latest film, Die, My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, has become one of the most talked-about films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film, which premiered at the Lumière Theatre, elicited strong reactions from audiences, though Ramsay feels many are misunderstanding its core themes.
Ramsay addressed the buzz around the film, pushing back against interpretations that focus on postpartum issues. In a candid conversation with critic Elvis Mitchell, she said, “This whole postpartum thing is just bulls***. It’s not about that. It’s about a relationship breaking down, it’s about love breaking down, and it’s about sex breaking down after having a baby. And it’s also about a creative block.”
Based on Ariana Harwicz’s 2017 novel, Die, My Love centers on a young couple who leave New York City for rural Montana, seeking peace and quiet. Their passionate relationship is deeply tested after the arrival of their child, shaking the foundation of their love.
Jennifer Lawrence, who also produced the film through her company Excellent Cadaver, was proactive in bringing the project to Ramsay’s attention. Ramsay revealed that Lawrence reached out to her with the idea, though the director initially wanted to avoid heavy themes similar to We Need to Talk About Kevin, preferring something “light” to avoid being boxed into a particular style.
The cast also includes LaKeith Stanfield, Sissy Spacek, and Nick Nolte. Ramsay co-wrote the script with Enda Walsh and Alice Birch.
Adding to the film’s excitement, Die, My Love was acquired by Mubi for $24 million—a record deal at this year’s Cannes. Mubi plans a wide theatrical release on 1,500 screens over 45 days. The deal covers multiple territories, including North America, Latin America, Europe, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
The production was backed by Lawrence and Justine Ciarrocchi, along with Martin Scorsese, Andrea Calderwood, and Black Label Media’s Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, and Thad Luckinbill.
