Review of It Comes at Night (2017) by Christopher E — 12 Jun 2017

"It Comes At Night" is a beautiful and mesmerizing film that'll be lauded as a misunderstood gem.

Imagine the end of the world. Now imagine something worse. Award-winning filmmaker Trey Edward Shults follows his incredible debut feature KRISHA with IT COMES AT NIGHT, a horror film following a man (Joel Edgerton) as he learns that the evil stalking his family home may be only a prelude to horrors that come from within. Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, the tenuous domestic order he has established with his wife and son is put to the ultimate test with the arrival of a desperate young family seeking refuge. Despite the best intentions of both families, paranoia and mistrust boil over as the horrors outside creep ever-closer, awakening something hidden and monstrous within him as he learns that the protection of his family comes at the cost of his soul.

After watching the initial trailers, I was more than excited about this film. Following the viewing of the movie posters, combined with early reviews from critics, my anticipation for this film rose even higher. But then the film released, and audiences let into this film. The film was then tagged with a misleading marketing campaign, along with a less than attractive style for the modern day audience. So with plenty of anticipation, I quickly wiped my brain and turned off any expectations. I saw the film today alone, not knowing what to expect. I wasn't sure how much I'd like it considering the wide split but in the end, this may have been one of my favorite films of the year, and one of my favorite horrors in recent memory.

Let's start with the acting. The acting in this movie was absolutely phenomenal. Joel Edgerton captured the lead role and killed it. His emotion, his physique, and his natural fear to survive and live is what really got to me. His son, played by Kelvin Harrison, may have been the real star of the show though. This kid stole more of the more devastating moments in the film as he shined in the spotlight, and he had me on the verge of tears with his performance. Everyone in this movie did a fine job, proving that big names don't make a film better, rather good performances are what make a movie better.

The screenplay for this film was not only well written, but very well executed. Trey Shults creates an isolated atmosphere with the feeling of fear around every corner. He creates a post apocalyptic world that dives deep into how far humans will go to survive, and just what fear can do to you. The story wasn't neccesarily original, but the way it was executed and the style he used was ballsy, and I think it paid off.

The cinematography and the use of lighting was something that also impressed me throughout this film. There are some styles they used with editing in this film, particularly with the dream sequences, that I didn't really catch onto until the end of the film. Knowing that now, I'm actually curious to re-watch the film, as it raised my curiosity. I really respect what they tried to do, and I really can't wait to see it again.

The move is filled to brink with mysteries. I was left with a lot of questions by the time the film concluded, which is exactly what Shults was aiming for. In interviews, he has stated that in his head, he knows exactly how this film plays out, and he purposely leaves us with a lot of questions. Although it will absolutely annoy the casual movie goer, I actually really appreciate this aspect. People, including myself, constantly complain that writers spoon feed us too much information. But now we get a film where you really don't know more than the characters at hand, and any questions you have are the same questions they have. It really immerses you into the film and it gives it this more realistic experience. It makes the film even more interesting, letting your mind wander as you try and deconstruct this world.

The trailers are really misleading for this film. Although they are well done, I highly recommend you avoid them. This is a completely different film, contrary to what many expect. It's innovate, it's mysterious, it's quiet, it's isolated, it's well acted, and it leaves you wanting more. It's a slow burn suspense that fits a suitable run time of an hour and 30 minutes. If anything, I really appreciate seeing a film like this, especially with all the inexcusably poorly written films we've received lately. Dare I say, this is even a masterpiece.

In the end, the more I think about this film, the more I love it. When the film concluded, the annoying couple near me said aloud "That's it? That's the ending?? What the fuck?". I can recognize that this film is NOT for the average film goer. It's insightful in a way that really makes you think and reflect, leaving it far from straightforward. I personally loved this movie and I will cherish this experience for a long time to come.