“A character-driven neo-noir that packs a twisty punch.”
We love us a thrilling neo-noir, and ever since Starry Eyes (review HERE) we love us some Alex Essoe too. So the idea of Midnighters offering us both in one movie was just too good to resist.
We’re not going to reveal too much about the plot below, because this is a movie that has some twists and reveals, and to do so would kinda kill the vibe of the whole thing, but I will say that Midnighters makes for a fun ride through noir country, even if there are a few bumps in the road along the way.
On the way home from a New Years Eve party, Jeff tries to get a little frisky with his wife Lindsey, taking his eyes from the road for just a few seconds, which ends with him hitting some poor sap walking down the middle of the road. Given that they’re both drunk, they decide to take the body home, wait a few hours until they’re sober, then report the tragic accident to the police.
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| YUPPIE PROBLEMS. |
Of course that plan goes to hell for a number of reasons, which we wont go into here, because that would spoil the way the movie unfolds its mysteries and reveals, but suffice it to say that things get complicated due to marital issues, money, Lindsey’s little sister showing up out of nowhere, and a creepy dude who knows too much about all of them.
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| WEREN’T EXPECTING THAT, WERE YOU? |
Midnighters is one of those movies that showcase people making really stupid decisions that lead to disastrous results, which is typically the kind of movie that we hate. Accidentally killing someone and hiding the body instead of calling the police never seems like it’s going to end well, and that type of plot line usually ends up making for a frustrating movie-watching experience for us.
With Midnighters though, director Julius Ramsay and screenwriter brother Alston have taken that trope, and made it fresh. It’s still frustrating in general, but the fact that the danger that is closing in around the couple is one that would have still been present whether they made a bad decision or not, basically kills the whole “You should have called the cops!” argument. It also takes the movie in a twisty direction that we weren’t expecting.
The movie has strong pace that keeps some of those frustrating moments from dragging it down, and the cast all turns in solid performances which make the whole thing even more compelling. Alex Essoe has been doing solid genre work for years now, and she continues her streak of quality work in quality films in this one. The real surprise for us was Perla Haney-Jardine who played troubled little sister Hannah; she played B.B. in Kill Bill Volume 2, and it looks like she’s all grown up now, as have her acting abilities. They both stole the show in this one.
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| HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN TIED UP AND TERRORIZED. |
There are some genuinely uncomfortable moments of torture in this one, but it’s not an overtly-bloody movie.
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| THAT’S NOT HOW YOU PROPERLY HOLD A KNIFE. |
Not that kind of flick.
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| THIS TRICKY BITCH RIGHT HERE… |
Relationships are tough. Also, always call the Cops. Always!
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| WILL THEIR LOVE ENDURE? |
Midnighters is a tense, effective thriller that may have you calling the characters dumbasses at times, but redeems their foolish actions by wrapping them in a story that you just can’t help but get caught up in.
If you like a good neo-noir anchored by a solid cast, then give this one a go.
B
Midnighters is available now on VOD.
Alex Essoe and Perla Haney-Jardine.
