Beyond The Night

As will all small towns, things are not as they seem. Several years ago, the small town was rocked by the disappearance of a young teen July Rain (Brenna Bialek). July’s father Bernie (Chance Kelly) has become hardened by his daughter’s disappearance and is involved in some shady dealings with some local dirtbags.

It should be noted that this is Lawrence’s first visit to his mother’s hometown. During the funeral, Lawrence begins to act out. At the wake, Lawrence starts talking to July’s mother Norma (Peggy J. Scott) about July. Thing is, July’s death preceded Lawrence’s birth and this pisses off Norma. Then Lawrence starts bringing up memories of the forest he used to play in years ago, but again, never been here before. Lawrence begins to recognize town locals, he could have never known. Soon a flood of memories come up about a life Lawrence could never have experienced.

Now we have a mystery. What’s up with Lawrence and could he be the key to solving July’s mysterious disappearance? Also, a revelation is made about the significance of his birthmark, that seems to come out of the blue, but after Googling it, there’s real folklore behind that birthmark in play.

“…a low-key thriller that I think plays better on paper than it does on screen.”

Beyond The Night is a low-key thriller that I think plays better on paper than it does on screen. The story about a potentially clairvoyant Lawrence is not performed as creepy or intriguing as it should be. I think we as the audience want to be scared or feel anxious from moment to moment.

Most of the thrills come around the consequences of Lawrence’s revelations and the notion that he is the key to solve the mystery. Which is good, but desperately needs more punch. There’s a moment when July’s father speaks to Lawrence as if he was his daughter and it just felt this was a missed opportunity to provide a boost of excitement.