Honestly, if you'd told me five years ago that Johnny Depp would return to the director's chair to film a 72-hour drug-fueled bender in 1916 Paris, I might’ve thought you were dreaming. But here we are. Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness is finally out, and it’s a lot to process. It isn't a stiff, boring biopic about a guy painting in a dusty room. It's a chaotic, sweaty, and sometimes hallucination-filled sprint through the life of Amedeo Modigliani.
People are getting confused by the title. "Modi" isn't about the Indian Prime Minister here. Not even close. It refers to the nickname of the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, a man who lived like he was constantly on fire. The film focuses on a specific three-day window that changed everything for him.
What Really Happened During Those Three Days?
The movie, which just hit theaters and streaming in early 2026, narrows its lens down to a 72-hour whirlwind. Paris is war-torn. 1916 is a grim time. Modigliani, played by Riccardo Scamarcio, is essentially a starving artist who is also a bit of a magnet for trouble. He’s running from the police, fighting with his girlfriend Beatrice Hastings, and basically trying to decide if he should just quit art altogether and go home.
Basically, the plot hinges on a meeting. His art dealer, Léopold Zborowski, tells him he’s got three days until an American collector arrives. This guy, Maurice Gangnat (played by the legendary Al Pacino), is the "kingmaker." If he likes your work, you're set for life. If he doesn't? Well, you're back to trading sketches for sandwiches in Montmartre.
Depp’s direction makes the city feel like a character. It's claustrophobic. It’s vibrant. It feels like everyone is one glass of absinthe away from a total breakdown. That’s where the "wing of madness" part of the title comes from. It's a reference to a quote about how Modigliani lived—always on the edge, always pushing his luck until it snapped.
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The Johnny Depp Connection
This is Johnny Depp’s first time directing a feature since The Brave in 1997. That's a huge gap. He didn't just pick this project out of a hat; Al Pacino actually brought it to him. They’ve been talking about this since they filmed Donnie Brasco together in the late 90s.
You can feel Depp’s influence in the surrealism. There are scenes that feel more like a dream—or a nightmare— than a historical record. During the San Sebastian Film Festival, Depp even joked that his own life had turned into a "televised soap opera," and you can see him projecting some of that "outsider" energy into how he portrays Modigliani. Both were men judged by the public while trying to maintain their craft.
Why Most People Get the Meaning Wrong
The title Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness isn't just a flowery phrase. It’s actually based on a play by Dennis McIntyre. The play focused on the internal struggle of an artist who is brilliant but fundamentally self-destructive.
- The "Modi" Pun: In French, the nickname "Modi" sounds like maudit, which means "cursed." The film leans heavily into this. Modigliani felt cursed by his health (he had tuberculosis), cursed by his lack of money, and cursed by a vision no one else seemed to get.
- The 72-Hour Constraint: By focusing on only three days, the movie avoids the "cradle to grave" clichés of most biopics. We don't see him as a kid. We just see him in the pressure cooker.
- The Madness: It’s not clinical insanity. It’s the "madness" of the creative process. There’s a scene where Modi says, “I make art; you just write about it.” That pretty much sums up the vibe.
A Look at the Cast: Who’s Who?
The casting is actually pretty inspired. Riccardo Scamarcio has that heavy-lidded, brooding look that the real Modigliani was famous for. But the scene-stealer is Al Pacino. Even at 85, Pacino brings this terrifying, quiet gravity to the role of Maurice Gangnat. When he looks at a painting, you feel like he’s judging the artist’s soul, not just the brushstrokes.
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Stephen Graham shows up as the dealer Zborowski. He’s the "sane" one trying to keep the wheels from falling off. Then you have Antonia Desplat as Beatrice Hastings. Their relationship in the film is... well, it’s toxic. They scream, they throw things, they love each other, and they haunt each other. It's messy. It’s human.
Was it Actually Factual?
Sorta. It’s a "fantasy" based on real people. While Modigliani really did live in Paris in 1916 and did know these people, the specific events of these three days are dramatized. It’s more about capturing the feeling of being a bohemian in a dying city than being a history textbook.
Critics have been split. Some think it’s too "bohemian badass" and stereotypical. Others think it’s a beautiful tribute to the struggle of making something out of nothing. Honestly? It's probably both.
Key Takeaways for Art Lovers
If you're watching Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness to learn art history, you might be disappointed. But if you want to understand why his paintings look the way they do—those long necks, those empty, almond-shaped eyes—the film gives you an emotional answer.
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Modigliani wasn't painting what he saw with his eyes; he was painting what he saw with his "internal eye." The film captures that transition from reality to the "wing of madness" where his best work lived.
How to Watch It Right Now
As of early 2026, you can find the film on most major platforms. It’s available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home. If you’re in New York, the Quad Cinema has been running special screenings with Q&A sessions.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check out the real art: Before you watch, look up Modigliani’s 1917-1919 portraits. Seeing the "real" faces makes the film's surreal moments hit harder.
- Watch for the cameos: Keep an eye out for the Polish art dealer's scenes—Stephen Graham puts on a masterclass in "frustrated friend."
- Don't expect a PM biopic: Seriously, tell your friends. This is about 1916 Paris, not modern-day New Delhi.
- Compare the versions: If you're a film buff, watch the 2004 Modigliani with Andy Garcia right after this one. The contrast in how they handle his "madness" is fascinating.
The movie doesn't try to solve the mystery of Modigliani. It just lets you sit in the room with him while he burns out. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s deeply flawed—just like the man himself.