“Don’t Box Me In”: Lynne Ramsay on Breaking Free with “Die, My Love”

One of the most hotly discussed films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival isn’t a sweeping historical epic or political thriller—it’s a raw, emotional, and controversial relationship drama from visionary filmmaker Lynne Ramsay. Her latest project, Die, My Love, features powerhouse performances by Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson and has become a lightning rod for critical conversation and audience interpretation.

“It’s Not About Postpartum”: Ramsay Pushes Back on Critics’ Assumptions

Following a passionate screening at the Lumière Theatre, some festivalgoers labeled Die, My Love as a film about postpartum depression. But Ramsay quickly shut down that reading in a candid fireside chat with film critic Elvis Mitchell.

“This whole postpartum thing is just bulls***,” Ramsay declared. “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.”

From the Page to the Screen: A Bold Adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s Novel

The film is adapted from Ariana Harwicz’s acclaimed 2017 novel of the same name. Set in rural Montana, the story follows a couple who trade New York City’s chaos for countryside calm—only to find their once-intense passion and intimacy crumbling in the wake of parenthood.

Jennifer Lawrence Took the First Step

Lawrence, who not only stars in the film but also produced it via her company Excellent Cadaver, was instrumental in getting the project off the ground. Ramsay revealed that the Oscar-winning actress personally reached out about the source material.

“She said, ‘What about this Die, My Love?’” Ramsay recalled. “But I said I don’t want to do something like We Need to Talk About Kevin. I’d like to do something light. Because people like to box you in.”

A Reluctant Yes Becomes a Passion Project

Initially hesitant, Ramsay eventually gave in and drafted a script. The story’s emotional complexity and unconventional tone soon drew her in fully. The film’s ensemble cast also includes LaKeith Stanfield, Sissy Spacek, and Nick Nolte, each contributing to the story’s layered psychological terrain.

Mubi Makes a Power Move with $24 Million Acquisition

In one of the biggest deals to emerge from Cannes this year, Mubi acquired distribution rights in a $24 million agreement, marking the largest on-the-ground sale at the festival. The streamer has promised a wide theatrical release across 1,500 screens for a 45-day window, signaling confidence in the film’s box-office potential.

A Global Rollout for a Deeply Personal Story

Mubi secured rights across North America, Latin America, Europe, India, Australia, and New Zealand, ensuring that Die, My Love will be seen by international audiences on both the big screen and their platform.

Ramsay Collaborates with Top-Tier Writing Team

The screenplay was co-written by Ramsay, Enda Walsh (Hunger, Disco Pigs), and Alice Birch (Normal People, Lady Macbeth), adding depth and sharp emotional precision to Harwicz’s original narrative.

An All-Star Production Team Behind the Scenes

Behind the camera, the production boasts some of the industry’s most respected names, including Martin Scorsese, Justine Ciarrocchi, and producers from Black Label Media (Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, and Thad Luckinbill), who also helped finance the film.

A Film That Rejects Labels and Demands Reflection

In many ways, Die, My Love refuses to be simplified. It’s not just a story of motherhood, or mental health, or creative breakdown. It’s about the complicated collapse of intimacy, the unbearable weight of reinvention, and the silence between lovers who once couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

Die, My Love: A Standout Contender in a Crowded Cannes Lineup

As Cannes 2025 continues to unveil its high-profile slate, Ramsay’s Die, My Love stands out for its fearless storytelling and magnetic performances. Whether audiences see it as provocative or misunderstood, one thing is clear: it’s not a film that leaves viewers indifferent.