A film told in the four-part style of Rashomon, Night after Night concerns the encounters two security guards have had with a mute stranger. The two security guards in question are Andy (Scott Poythress) and Willis (Johnny Sibilly). Andy and Willis work for an unnamed private university that is undergoing a massive construction project. As such, it’s the prerogative of the institution to insist that each member of the security detail protect the campus at night. Willis and then Andy are tasked with nighttime security. What is not divulged to either man is that, at night, the hallways are visited by a completely nude, mute stranger.
It is in their encounters with this nude apparition that the drama unfolds and mysteries are revealed. As Night after Night is a tightly executed production that does not wish to divulge its secrets easily, that’s about as much of the plot as I will provide you, dear reader. Instead, know that Night after Night is the second film from Josh Lobo, and it is a banger.
There is something alchemical in presenting completely unknown elements to a screen. I’ve never seen Poythress or Sibilly in anything. Yet, here in Night after Night, they both acquit themselves marvelously. Men tend to lead internalized lives. Yet, while Willis and Andy both share that trait as quiet, introverted security guards, they manifest very different behavior patterns. Andy has a shattered family. While his wife wants to reconcile, he cannot bring himself to do that. Instead, Andy prefers to stay at a motel and speak to his next-door neighbor through their shared wall. He enjoys rifle shooting and keeps a storage unit loaded with armaments, targets, and such. Andy is thoughtful and tends to lose himself in his own thoughts. He attempts to play out situations prior to acting on them.
“Andy and Willis work for an unnamed private university which is undergoing a massive construction project.”
Willis, on the other hand, is quite in love with his partner. He’s just very quiet, withdrawn, and doesn’t share details very easily. Willis is a man of action. I expect he’s with the particular fellow he has chosen because the relationship is quite physical. And his interactions with both the apparition and his work colleagues tend towards the physical as well. Willis needs to use his hands to best understand the world, which is probably why his tenure as principal night guard is short-lived.
Night after Night is Josh Lobo’s second feature-length film. It’s a tightly wound story that he co-wrote with Rowan Russell. Night after Night displays the hallmarks of a filmmaker with potential. Lobo’s direction is almost imperceptible. He has deftly guided with a gentle hand all his actors to portray the facets of a mystifying series of encounters. The subtle use of music and sound effects is both effective and haunting. Lobo is very good at developing atmospherics in his crafted work. Night after Night is sublime in its presentation of uncanny and disorienting imagery.
Ultimately, Night after Night is a very fine horror film. If you like ghost stories or are even looking for modern horror to sate your thirst after Backrooms or Obsession, Night after Night is a quality read-alike. Atmospheric and haunting, Night after Night promises to sit in my memory for quite some time.
"…Atmospheric and haunting..."
