by Paislee House, Film Critic
In his sophomore feature, writer/director Trey Edward Shults proves he is not only a young filmmaker to watch but a master of tension on screen. Shults’ first film, 2016’s “Krisha” has a similar feel to “It Comes At Night.” Both are incredibly tense dramas that are sometimes hard to watch. However, “It Comes At Night” takes that tension and stretches it a full 91 minutes, forcing the audience to hold their breath and await relief.
“It Comes At Night” occurs in what the audience can assume is some sort of future where a mysterious sickness has plagued at least a portion of the United States, but most of this information is never fully disclosed. What makes “It Comes At Night” so appealing and stressful is the amount of mystery surrounding the plot. Few questions are answered in the film, but they don’t need to be. The story is so full of tension, so well written, and so well performed that the questions asked are left hanging and I elected to immerse myself in the small world put together by Shults.
The film benefits from this small world with its small cast and few locations. Most of the film occurs within a single house inhabited by six individuals as they attempt to survive this ravaged, future world. Shults manages to score some big talent for his second feature with Joel Edgerton playing the lead amongst the likes of Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo, Riley Keough and Kelvin Harrison Jr. The strong cast elevates the movie’s dialogue and their demonstrations of paranoid human behaviors achieve a haunting effect.
Though the story is anxiety-inducing enough, Shults’ direction adds another dimension. The camera moves throughout the film in an unhurried, haunting manner. These slow movements serve to unsettle the viewer. In a specific, repeated sequence the camera follows Travis (Harrison Jr.) as he moves throughout the house towards the red door that leads outside. We feel as though we are moving with Travis, slowly approaching the menacing door that leads to the unforgiving outside world.
Another technical element of the film that helps to create a foreboding atmosphere is the use of lighting. Much of the film takes place within a boarded up house, and the family uses lanterns as they move about in the dark. This lack of light builds upon the film’s creepy style and overall feel. Not only this, but the use of lanterns as characters navigate their world only allows the audience to see as much as the characters see. We are not some all-knowing presence outside of the film, instead we are put into this world and expected to feel and experience as the characters do.
Then there’s the music. Composer Brian McOmber, who previously worked on “Krisha” with Shults, produces an incredible, tension-building score. In the beginning of the film, the music is subtle and infrequent. It is hardly noticeable in the background. However, as the film builds so does the music. McOmber achieves a chilling intensity that matches the story in a perfect manner, beat for beat.
“It Comes At Night” delivers a stressful viewing experience with a mysterious plot, exceptional direction, and a bone-chilling score. Though the movie is more drama than horror, it is still completely terrifying and unsettling. It isn’t your typical horror movie filled with jump scares and gags, but “It Comes At Night” provides plenty of emotional unease that will leave you too afraid to seek answers to the questions it asks.
Rating: 9/10