Night Shift (2024) Review: A Thrilling Ride with a Few Bumps

Night Shift, a new thriller, is a masterclass in building tension and delivering scares. The film’s intimate setting and small but talented cast make for a gripping watch, even if the final act falters slightly.

Creepy hotel corridors set the tone for Night Shift

Gwen (Phoebe Tonkin), the new night shift supervisor at The All Tucked Inn, is thrown into a world of eerie occurrences and unexplained events. The inn, with its creaky doors and scurrying rodents, is the perfect setting for a horror movie. The filmmakers expertly craft an atmosphere of unease, making the most of the inn’s creepy ambiance.

The inn’s old rooms are full of secrets

As Gwen navigates the inn’s dark corridors, she forms a bond with Alice (Madison Hu), a guest who’s still awake. Together, they try to make sense of the strange happenings, but the lines between reality and hallucination start to blur.

The ghostly apparitions are genuinely terrifying

The China Brothers, the sibling directors and writers, do an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension, making the most of the inn’s eerie setting. The makeup work on the ghostly apparitions is particularly impressive, making for some truly terrifying jump scares.

The inn’s outdated surveillance system adds to the sense of unease

Gwen, thankfully, is no damsel in distress. She’s resourceful and proactive, arming herself and trying to uncover the truth behind the strange events. Tonkin shines in the role, bringing depth and nuance to the character.

Gwen and Alice form a strong bond as they navigate the night

The final act, while clever, raises more questions than it answers, and the payoff could have been stronger. Despite this, Night Shift remains a worthwhile thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The All Tucked Inn: a place where the living are not alone

Rating: 7 out of 10