Feb. 04, 2022|United States|91 Min.|R
Genre: Horror
Description: The Long Night (2022) tells the story of Grace, a New York transplant, who returns to her southern roots with her boyfriend to uncover the mystery of her long-lost parents. What begins as a hopeful search quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal when the couple becomes targets of a dangerous cult led by a maniacal leader. This group is intent on fulfilling an ancient, apocalyptic prophecy, turning their quiet weekend into a fight for survival.
Despite its clichéd plot, the film manages to create an eerie atmosphere under the direction of Rich Ragsdale. The cult, armed with supernatural abilities, adds a layer of urgency to the couple’s desperate attempts to defend themselves. While the cult’s appearance—cloaked figures with unsettling masks—is not groundbreaking, the costume design effectively enhances the terror.
However, the movie’s suspense is often undercut by overdone audio cues and sound design that feel unnecessarily forced. Instead of trusting the strong direction and performances, the film relies on these elements to heighten the scare factor, ultimately detracting from its potential. The result is a story that, while atmospheric, struggles to rise above its generic framework.
Cast director: Rich Ragsdale
Cast actor: Scout Taylor-Compton, Nolan Gerard Funk, Deborah Kara Unger, Jeff Fahey, Kevin Ragsdale, King Orba
Original name: The Long Night