Director Trey Edward Shults
Genre Horror | Mystery
Cast Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo
Rating R
Release Date June 9th, 2017
“Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, a man has established a tenuous domestic order with his wife and son, but this will soon be put to test when a desperate young family arrives seeking refuge.”
It Comes at Night is the second film from talented director Trey Edward Shults. He previously directed the critically acclaimed indie drama Krisha (now streaming on Amazon Prime), which he filmed entirely in his own personal home, with the majority of his family members as the cast. As a director, he seems to focus on the basis of human emotion and family dynamics. As an indie horror film that premiered at the Overlook Film Festival in Oregon, It Comes at Night has received a great deal of a praise from critics prior to it's release. The cast includes Joel Edgerton, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Tense, unnerving, and beautifully shot, It Comes at Night is a uniquely crafted post-apocalyptic horror. Viewers are immersed in a world where optimism no longer exists, and survival is the only thing that matters. I was extremely excited to see It Comes at Night and I had relatively high expectations considering all of the early buzz and incredible trailers, and I'm pleased to say I wasn't at all disappointed. Now I understood going in to the theater this was not going to fit the criteria of a traditional horror film, and I expected a slow-burn style similar to The Witch. It certainly fit that mold for the most part, but this is even more of a thinking mans horror. The fear is very real, and from the opening sequence to the powerful final shot, you will be on edge. In order to truly appreciate It Comes at Night you need to try and find a way to let go of expectations, and simply become engaged with what is unfolding on screen. This is a film about human emotion, trust and distrust, and protecting one’s family and the lengths to which we will go to do so. The interactions between the characters hold just as much weight as the seemingly imminent threat everyone is trying so hard to protect themselves from. It's the idea of being on the brink of grave danger and not knowing what you're supposed to be scared of. What exactly is coming at night? I believe Shults succeeds in forging a connection between the characters on screen and the viewers themselves, because in a way you are both searching for the same answers, and the terrifying thing is that you may never really know what it is you are so scared of. The cinematography is absolutely amazing, and many of the shots beg to be freeze framed and experienced further. I loved the isolated and claustrophobic environment the film creates. If you watch It Comes at Night with an open mind and an understanding of what you are about to experience, it will provide you with a ton to appreciate and will leave you with the need to discuss further. This is the absolute epitome of leaving the "monster" in the shadows, and proving that the unseen can be just as scary. That being said, much like The Witch, The Babadook, or It Follows, or any other love them or hate them horror films, It Comes at Night will alienate some viewers but the overall impact of a film like this is simply undeniable.
Aside from directing and cinematography, acting is unquestionably one of the biggest strengths for It Comes at Night. Joel Edgerton is a proven actor with the ability to play a variety of roles, and here he proves that dramatic roles may be his calling card. His facial expressions and mannerisms are incredible, and he carries himself like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Christopher Abbott, who many will recognize from the HBO series Girls, is fantastic in his role. Abbott manages to match Edgerton's intensity stride for stride, and the two actors team up as quite the acting duo. Carmen Ejogo (Selma, Alien: Covenant) was another bright spot in a strong supporting role. The relatively unknown Kelvin Harrison Jr. (The Birth of a Nation) was amazing as a critical character in the film. In a sense he was a key component to bridging the emotional gap between Edgerton and Ejogo, who play his parents, and the people they cautiously allow into their lives. I really enjoyed his performance. Simply put, you will be hard pressed to find a weak spot in this cast.
It Comes at Night will please the vast majority of the horror fan base, and will surely anger its fair share as well. Simply put, this movie is not for everyone. It's not going to hand you an explanation on a silver platter at every corner. It's going to challenge you, and allow you the opportunity to use your imagination. Regardless of any of that, this is a finely crafted piece of cinema that deserves a viewing regardless of opinion. This is filmmaking as an art form.
