by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Is there anything worse than being quarantined in your own apartment due to anxiety? If that apartment you are stuck in is haunted… that would certainly make it worse! That is the exact idea in Jennifer Reeder’s latest directorial effort coming to Shudder, Night’s End. Geno Walker portrays Ken Barber, who is trying to make something out of a new YouTube channel. What is the problem? His close friend, Terry (Felonious Munk), notices one of his stuffed birds slides right off a shelf during one of his videos. But that could only be the beginning. Once these hauntings escalate, Ken must take drastic measures and… get an exorcism.
What does rising star director, Jennifer Reeder, bring to the table in this Chicago-centric horror flick? There is noticeably a small budget for Reeder’s film, but she flexes her talents with it. The film becomes a bit campy due to iffy effects in its climactic exorcism, but there is a gritty and foreboding atmosphere from start to finish. The limitations of the setting make for a tense and engaging experience. There are legitimate frightening moments throughout the film thanks to Reeder’s strong direction. The reflection in a computer screen or an over-the-shoulder shot down a hall without focus are just a few ways that Reeder sets up these frights and knocks them down.
How about the story? This is certainly a slow burn with a methodical pace, allowing for this narrative to really breathe. Reeder knows how to pace out Brett Neveu’s screenplay to maximize the scares. We see Ken struggle with anxiety and the distance from his now ex-wife and kids. He struggles to find peace from his anxiety, as well as the specters that haunt his home. Things get a little too cliché as the film spirals into crazy exorcism scenes. They also get a bit messy towards the end with how this story plays out.
What about the actors who embody these struggles on screen? Walker does a serviceable job, most likely to drum up business and spread the name of those involved. Munk is a lot of fun as the Lil Rel Howery-esque comic relief. With such a dark situation, that tension needs to be cut on occasion, and Munk is up for the challenge. Oddly enough, Michael Shannon finds his way into this film as Ken’s ex-wife’s new husband. He is funny and goofy, and brings just a special kind of energy and presence to the film that is on a whole other level than the rest of the cast.
Do you need to head on over to Shudder to take in this new horror flick? This is not going to become essential horror viewing, but Reeder brings plenty to make it a worthwhile venture. Her work is quickly becoming a must-see affair for me. This is a classic set up with a twist… and that twist does a lot for it.
Score: 6/10
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