Johnny Depp makes a bold directorial comeback with Modì: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, a biographical drama exploring the life of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani. The film zeroes in on a pivotal three-day period in 1916 Paris, capturing the brilliance, struggles, and personal turmoil of one of art history’s most enigmatic figures.
Depp not only directs but also produces the film through his IN.2 Film banner. The cast features Riccardo Scamarcio as Modigliani, Al Pacino as art collector Maurice Gangnat, and Stephen Graham and Antonia Desplat in supporting roles. The screenplay, adapted from Dennis McIntyre’s play, was co-written by Jerzy and Mary Olson-Kromolowski.
Filmed across Budapest and Turin in 2023–2024, Modì premiered at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2024. The UK release is scheduled for July 2025, with a U.S. limited release in November 2025 via Vertical Entertainment.
Depp has described a deep personal connection to Modigliani, noting parallels between the artist’s trials and his own life under the public eye. The film explores universal themes of creative struggle, poverty, ambition, and redemption, emphasizing authenticity over commercial polish. Scamarcio was chosen for his “dangerous charisma,” bringing Modigliani’s intensity to life.
Critical reception has been mixed, with praise for performances and ambition, but some critics cite an over-stylized execution and familiar narrative beats. Nevertheless, the film represents Depp’s first directorial effort since The Brave (1997), marking a significant return to passion-driven, art-centric filmmaking.
Modì highlights Depp’s fascination with complex creative figures, delivering a visually rich, emotionally resonant portrayal of an iconic artist while reinforcing his own reinvention in the entertainment world.
