Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Night’s End’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Night’s End’.
​
We live in a genuinely amazing time. Because technology has transformed our lives in ways, we never thought possible. For instance, the compendium of human knowledge is now at our fingertips since we can simply Google the answer to a burning question on our minds or we can YouTube how to accomplish a particular task, and having knowledge on tap, is only the tip of the iceberg of technology’s outright wonder. Because we are also connected to the whole of humanity through it and are able to speak with anyone, anywhere through the mere press of a button, and we can enjoy whatever format of communication we prefer and that still isn’t the peak of technology’s majesty in the 21st Century. Because it has also allowed for people to reach out and express their opinions and ideas and that’s given rise to social media stars and a new breed of experts and well, how can one not feel awe at his bold new reality we are presented with when it comes to what tech can accomplish for us?
​
But while it is amazing to know that technology has revolutionized how we communicate and interact, and that we are on the very cusp of its evolution into something so much more, technology is not without its drawbacks. For how we communicate, is outright unregulated. Which is not a call for heavy regulation or censorship mind you, but when there is no filter and no restrictions, and anyone can get out there and speak… the wrong people sometimes open their mouths, and they are right now. Which is leading to misinformation and confusion since people that think they are experts, are happy to say whatever they need to in order to rack up the clicks and likes and subscriptions and well, that is leading to all kinds of trouble in our modern world The kind that leaves us wondering just how bad things could get and well, that’s a concern that the horror genre is eager to ponder upon, as evidenced by the latest addition to Shudder’s impressive library… Night’s End.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Ken Barber and well, Ken’s going through it. For a drinking problem and a broken relationship has forced him to move out of his family’s home and set up shop in a whole different town and well, he’s struggling in his new digs. In part because he’s lost in life at the moment and unsure of what comes next for him and also because… there’s something strange happening around his new home. In that, objects are moving, and sounds are emanating from other parts of the building. Which leads Ken to believe there is a haunting taking place and well, the best way to figure that out… in his mind, is through YouTube and the various experts that permeate the internet and well, that’s a poor choice on Ken’s part. For the experts he contacts don’t have his best interests in mind and that… is going to lead to a spiritual disaster of epic proportions when Ken dabbles in matters he simply doesn’t understand.

---

Which is… the perfect plot in which to explore the dangers of unfettered communication for several reasons. First and foremost because it explains how people are easily sucked into the quagmire of misinformation these days, since Ken’s broken persona and psyche, speak volumes to the target audiences of the unsavory folks that want to be heard. For they want the disenfranchised around and the broken, since those are folks that are searching for guidance and direction and they’re happy to provide it and they do just that, here, and it does lead to incredible disaster, and it also exposes how unqualified a lot of these experts are. Courtesy of a wild and wicked finale where everything falls to pieces around Ken and what’s amazing… is that this film takes the time to ponder upon how we could perhaps, prevent people from getting lost in the mix, in the way that Ken does here.
​
Because part of the reason Ken falters, is because of the fact that he is isolated and alone and unwilling to do much outside of loaf about his home and dream loftily. Which speaks volumes to the reality that isolation and boredom, force us to feed our minds with junk food online that can be harmful and that if that does happen, the way to keep someone from falling into that proverbial rabbit hole, where they are a potato staring into void of YouTube… to the point where ‘don’t forget to like and subscribe’ is now part of their farewell vernacular… is to engage them and spend time with them and remind them to push forward. Since we see Ken peel away from the madness of YouTube briefly when he resigns himself to tasks that involve people and connection. If anything, that observation and commentary on the rise of misinformation in our modern world make this a powerful horror film to say the least.

For it is timely, and thoughtful and downright scary in ways that extends beyond the shudders produced by watching someone lose themselves to ‘edu-tainment’. Because the scares here are rock solid for certain and prey upon our fears of the unknown and of ghosts, courtesy of shadows and perfectly timed jump scares. And of course, that ending is simply off the charts awesome… thanks to one incredible twist and well, this is a horror film that is definitely worth a watch. Simply because its intelligent and fun and twisted and it even features an epic cameo from screen legend Michael Shannon and well, if you get a little time this weekend and you’re eager to enjoy a horror story that both entertains and stays with you long after it has come to its horrific end… then swing by Shudder when you get a chance and give this magnificent movie a look. You’ll be glad you did.  

---