Midnight Shift Analysis: A Suspenseful Tale Unfolding Slowly

Upon her arrival at the "All Tucked In" motor lodge, Gwen, played by Phoebe Tonkin, is greeted by a slew of unsettling sights. From a stuffed bear named "Yogi" that falls off the wall unexpectedly to cockroaches, used condoms, and large rats, the hotel already sets a creepy tone. And if that wasn't enough, there's even a sinkhole at the bottom of an empty swimming pool filled with inky black mud.

Night Shift, a film directed by siblings Paul and Ben China, marks their feature film debut after their successful collaboration on Sweet Virginia. In this haunted hotel movie, Gwen takes on the role of the new night shift manager at the rundown motel owned by the friendly yet slightly apathetic Teddy Miles, played by Lamorne Morris from New Girl. Morris brings a light comedic touch to the exposition scenes, adding a layer of humor to Gwen's introduction to her new duties.

Night Shift Ignores Its Greatest Assets

The supporting cast does not get enough time to make an impact.

Gwen (Phoebe Tonkin) looking through blinds in Night Shift - The supporting cast does not get enough time to make an impact. - Night Shift Ignores Its Greatest Assets

The biggest issue with Night Shift becomes clear right away. After Gwen checks out the rundown motel and Teddy points out some creepy objects, he says goodbye, leaving Gwen alone for her first night. It's surprising how much trust he has in her, especially considering how easily she almost left when she heard rats in the ceiling. Teddy's mix of excitement for having help and nerves about impressing Gwen pairs well with her own uncertainty and desperation for quick cash, for reasons we're yet to find out.

Teddy's excitement and nervousness about having help and impressing his new employee match well with Gwen's uncertainty and quiet desperation. Unfortunately, Teddy is taken out of the film until the finale, causing Night Shift to miss out on a potentially great pairing. This issue recurs several times throughout the movie. After Teddy's departure, Gwen realizes she is being stalked by someone. As the night goes on, her paranoia turns into reality when she starts seeing ghostly figures following her. Interspersed with these horrifying moments are various characters, such as Madison Hu as Alice, a hotel guest who becomes friends with Gwen, and Patrick Fischler and Lauren Bowles as Warner and Birdie, a rich and overly obnoxious couple.

A Disappointing Introduction of Fischler and Bowles

Fischler and Bowles burst into the film like a bolt of lightning, bringing hope for a new energy. Unfortunately, their presence only leads to a mildly amusing sex joke. Instead of adding depth, their characters feel like a missed opportunity. Night Shift would have been better off exploring these side characters further, rather than using them as mere transitions between ghost scenes.

Everything before the film's twist ends up feeling unnecessary.

Gwen (Phoebe Tonkin) facing a stuffed bear head in Night Shift. - Everything before the film's twist ends up feeling unnecessary. - A Twist Ending Can't Save Night Shift

Night Shift has a surprising twist at the end that catches viewers off guard. Although it is well executed, it may seem a bit unexpected. The twist offers a unique perspective on the final girl trope and delivers some impressive gore. However, it somewhat limits the development of the film's main character, Gwen. The China brothers behind Night Shift had been building up to this twist all along, which can make everything leading up to it feel somewhat insignificant.

In the final scene, we finally see Gwen unleash her true potential, revealing a more compelling and darker side to her character. This ending provides a glimpse into the unsettling and thrilling story that the China brothers were aiming to tell. While Night Shift moves quickly through its plot, it could have benefited from a longer runtime to allow for more character development. The movie includes two particularly chilling scenes that effectively utilize a telephone and a security camera to create intense scares. However, these tense moments are often cut short, leaving viewers craving a more satisfying payoff.

Night Shift rushes through characters and scenes, leading up to a surprising twist; the movie could benefit from a longer runtime to fully develop its story.

Night Shift cleverly utilizes the eerie motel setting to create a sense of unease. From a character falling into an abandoned pool to the mysterious disappearance of a motel key, the story effectively builds suspense with the lingering feeling that something sinister lurks behind every shower curtain. However, the true plot of Night Shift doesn't unfold until later in the movie.

Editor's P/S:

"Night Shift" presents a promising premise with its haunted hotel setting and unsettling atmosphere. However, the film's potential is hindered by several missed opportunities. The supporting cast, including Lamorne Morris and Patrick Fischler, is introduced but not given enough screen time to make a significant impact. This results in a lack of character development and a feeling that their presence is underutilized.

Furthermore, the film's twist ending, while unexpected, comes at the expense of character development. The buildup to the twist makes the events leading up to it feel somewhat unnecessary, limiting the exploration of Gwen's character and the potential for a more satisfying narrative. A longer runtime could have allowed for a more balanced approach, giving the side characters more depth and allowing Gwen's transformation to be fully realized.