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Review: Midnighters (A Ramsay Brothers Film)

In a world where I Know What You Did Last Summer came out almost 21 years ago, I’m surprised that everyday people haven’t learned to call the police after accidentally committing vehicular manslaughter. The victim always grasps onto the last shred of life and seeks revenge, ultimately leading their assailants down a spiraling path of destruction. Most of this can be said for IFC Midnight’s new release, Midnighters. On New Year’s Eve, a struggling married couple find themselves in a series of strange and dramatic events after running over a pedestrian and covering up the crime. What follows is a Gothic thriller mixed with psychological terror and electrifying suspense. Written by Alston Ramsay and directed by Julius Ramsay, Midnighters stars Alex Essoe, Perla Haney-Jardine, Dylan McTee, Ward Horton, Andrew Rothenberg and Joseph Anderson.

Shot under Graystone Pictures, and produced by Alston and Julius Ramsay, Midnighters is described as Hitchcockian in nature and I think that is an accurate way of describing this new movie. Hitchcock had his own style, his own way of building suspense and scaring people, and it usually had a layer mystery or flat-out confusion. But it was so much more than that, and Midnighters is more than just a spiraling thriller with an incredible cast. Due to the talents of cinematographer Alexander Alexandrov and production designer Alison Melillo, Midnighters is the correct combination of music, camera work, acting and palpable suspense. It has layers of uncertainty that creep up your spine instead of screaming in your face. Everything is rather subdued, but enjoyable and enthralling and a true throwback to a better time in film-making. Well done, Midnighters cast and crew.

And with all these other elements comes a certain level of class, a trait that can also be attributed to anything Hitchcockian. The clothes, the house, the performances and the way the actors carried themselves – it was more adult, more refined; which portrays a startling contrast to the demented minds of the lead characters and the devilish antics they’re drawn into. Midnighters features a slight torture scene, and you wouldn’t expect that from people who I just described as classy. With nosy police, a needy sister, and a guilty conscience – it’s easy to understand how quickly the married couple would dive off the deep end. Co-produced by Mike Bowes and Jarret Blinkhorn, and edited by Julius Ramsay, Midnighters is pretty thematic throughout its entire run-time, but the most recognizable message is not judging a book by its cover. You never know what that book is capable of when facing jail time or death.

I struggle to find anything negative to say about Midnighters. It’s low body count and not very graphic, but it’s still the perfect mix of drama, horror and ominous thrills. I grade movies based on what I see, and not what I expect to see. And this one is solid. Would I have capped this film about seven minutes earlier? Yes, but that’s hardly something I can rag on it for Instead, I’ll end this review with more praise. Midnighters is a slow-burning thriller with horror and suspense that chips away at your senses. Best watched with a big glass of red wine! When IFC Midnight releases this gem to home media on March 2, 2018, I highly recommend renting it. Peep the trailer below and get ready for a throwback film of epic proportions. Final Score: 8 out of 10.

Michael DeFellipo

(Senior Editor)

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