Review of It Comes at Night (2017) by Kevin F — 26 Jul 2017

Never go outside at night. That is a simple rule to follow but in a post apocalyptic world, what are the rules? Who can you trust? Does morality even exist in this circumstance? Director Trey Edward Shults explores these themes in his new film "It comes at night". A thriller that will mess with your mind from the opening scene, all the way through the final act.

After a virus hits the outside world, Paul (Joel Edgerton) would do anything to protect his teenage son, Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr) and his wife, Sarah (Carmen Ejogo). Along with their dog, Stanley, they protect their remote home out in the woods. Paul has established an order for things so that everyone stays safe. Shortly after, a desperate family finds the home as they were in search for help. The family was taken in and given the two main rules, keep the red door closed and don't go out at night. One night, the red door was found open, leaving the audience to pounder. Who can you trust in a post apocalyptic world?

Joel Edgerton was great as Paul and carried the film. When Sarah's father got sick, Paul shot him and burned the body. He meant business and was going to protect his family at all costs. Carmen Ejogo did well as Sarah, excelling in her supporting role. Everyone else was average. Kelvin Harris Jr was mediocre . He didn't hurt the film but he also doesn't make the audience really care for Travis.

It comes at night had terrific cinematography. The storyline was fascinating, a complete thriller and the suspense was outstanding. The music helped a lot with carrying out that suspense. Although, it's genre goes down as horror, it's not a horror in any way. Act two was the slowest and there was hardly no back story to any of the characters or story. Trey Edwards Shults hits the audience with a different kind of story telling and horror film. This film is "The Walking dead" without the gore, blood, kills and zombies.

The lesson here is of morality. What happens in desperate times? What do we as humans do and who do we trust? Can we trust or is it plain survival? These are themes explored in the film. Paul and his family have an order to things. They have survived and know that they can trust each other but what about the outside world?

Trey Edward Shults makes a thriller/suspense film that leaves you thinking. Again, minimal backstory, just suspense since act one. The film has wonderful cinematography but less action. If you are expecting zombies to invade the home, breach the bolted red door and witness a blood fest, you are walking into the wrong film and you will leave the theatre complaining. It's not that kind of film and it can be slow at times. Overall, Shults does a good job for his second major film as he delivers something different.

Who opened the door? Who do you trust? And remember, don't go out at night.