The Czech-Slovak co-production, Když se zhasne! (When the Lights Go Out!), premiered in Czech cinemas on February 12, 2026, offering a comedic capture on a strained marriage and a potentially costly prenuptial agreement. The film, directed by Andy Fehu, is based on a successful stage play of the same name penned by Michaela Doleželová and Roman Vencl, which has been performed across the Czech Republic since its debut in 2012.
The plot centers on Nina (Petra Hřebíčková), an ambitious chef preparing to open her own restaurant, “7 Hříchů” (7 Sins), and her husband, Richard (Tomáš Maštalír), a gynecologist. Their relationship has grown cold, and a long-forgotten prenuptial agreement, jokingly signed on a napkin during a drunken night, threatens to complicate matters further. According to the agreement, neither party will receive any assets in the event of a divorce. Richard enlists the assist of a friend, Čenda (Martin Pechlát), to attempt to elicit infidelity from Nina, even as Nina simultaneously plots her own scheme.
Doleželová, a dramatist, director, actress, and dramaturgist at the Moravian Theatre in Olomouc, co-wrote the screenplay with Michal Baláž, adapting the original stage play. The film’s production utilized locations in Olomouc, including the industrial space of the Telegraph building, a former telegraph factory, and the Svatý Kopeček hill, transforming the city into a stand-in for New York City, as described by Fehu. The set design, captured by cinematographer Tomáš Juríček, aims to create a visually compelling atmosphere.
The film features a supporting cast including Petra Polnišová and Simona Lewandovská. Notably, the seven-course menu featured in the film’s restaurant scenes was developed in collaboration with professional chef Marco Christov alongside actor Vojtěch Kotek.
Critics have noted a disconnect between the film’s premise and its execution. While the initial concept held promise for a witty and engaging comedy, the final product is described as a disjointed mix of humor styles, lacking consistent wit and relying on predictable tropes. The film’s dialogue is characterized as often unfunny and occasionally in poor taste.
Performances are also considered uneven, with Tomáš Maštalír and Simona Lewandovská receiving praise for their comedic timing. However, other cast members, including Petra Hřebíčková and Martin Pechlát, struggle to elevate the material.
Když se zhasne! is currently playing in Czech and Slovak cinemas, with no immediate plans for wider international distribution announced.
