With what felt like the plague now lingering behind me, I took some time to sit down and do something different with my writing. I’ve dabbled in articles, album reviews, debates and more, but what about a film review? And what perfect timing! The eclipse brought masses together beneath its quick but darkened veil, and with it came a film with the same amount of lingering suspense, mystery, and mysticism that sticks with us long after.

From the release:

“ In Overnight, love and danger intertwine as Craven and Darcy navigate a tumultuous 20 year relationship haunted by visions of their own demise. Fleeing assassins, they seek refuge in the enigmatic Overnight Hotel, where they confront not only the mob but also malevolent supernatural forces. Inspired by true events, this noir love story challenges conventional notions of attachment, drawing on themes of the Twin Flames myth found in Plato’s Symposium, but with a dark twist. Accompanying the gripping narrative is a groundbreaking soundtrack that defines the musical culture of Solunar Records.“

Creator Caleb Straus (Solunar Records, Death of Zenith) poured his heart and soul into every ounce of this film. From the epic and twisted soundtrack to the haunting imagery and bits of ick that really stick in the back of your mind, Caleb let himself become consumed by Overnight’s very concept. Every step forward, from our very introduction to the film, sees Caleb’s hand caressing over every minute of footage, making sure it’s polished and perfected before we even see a glimpse of any scene.

The flashback scenes are some of my favourite moments. We get a glimpse of Craven and Darcy before the aggression, before the downfall, and the acting is spot on, feeling as authentic as any meet up between a potential love interest through awkward connection. We see their love blossom over time, and how their bond worked so well on common ground, and mutual playfulness.

As we progress to what feels like ‘reality’, we witness some well choreographed fight scenes that do an excellent job at blending camera cuts and movement with perfect contact to keep things feeling like the real deal when necessary special effects are inaccessible. Unlike most B Movie Horror Films, Caleb made sure to take care in addressing flash and flair in his fights so that they came off smooth and well-articulated rather than jutted and clunky, which I really appreciated. However, there is downfall in sound. Some scenes come off muffled and distant, while others seem to hold echo. I’m not quite sure if its just an issue with certain cuts, or if it’s a collective, but it is noticeable enough that it pulls me out of the movie’s vibe on occasion.

Jump scares are well-timed, coming up infrequently, allowing the audience to settle into their comforts, expecting safety in the most convenient places. However, Overnight is consistent in their playfulness, keeping the scares and tension at the max, allowing it to seep in and creep up on you when least expected. The same level of suspense continues through Craven’s current, and supposed, reality, with red-shadowed apparitions of both past and present causing him to give chase with unknown cause. Like chasing a dream, Craven continues his pursuit down endless corridors and winding passages, as if desperately chasing down the answer he seeks.

I appreciate the dedication and attention to Craven’s character. He’s complex on a multitude of levels from addiction, to career path, with Darcy his only staple. Without getting too deep and revealing too much, you see Craven’s growth from his flashbacks to his ‘reality’ and the battle he struggles with that keeps him moving one step forward and two steps back throughout his life. It offers us up a level of depth that most Indie Horror doesn’t delve too deeply into, keeping their thrills and scares on the surface, and giving us little in terms of relatibility, which Caleb grants us tenfold in his creation.

By far, the best acting goes to Craven’s cousin in the film, whose dialogue, and expression throughout flashbacks and present state are wonderful. From lines like “are you fucking allergic to communication?” to her playful banter, and prodding, every ounce of her presence is authentic and genuine, no matter what scene she’s in. Combine this with the complex plot, and you get moments of complete intrigue where Overnight swallows you whole. Without offering up too many spoilers, Overnight may have minimum use of special effects and technique, but Caleb offers more by altering lighting, twisting camera angles, and playing with the blink between what may seem like reality and what is simply paranoia.

For an Indie Horror/Thriller, Overnight takes things up a notch, stepping away from the simple gore and tension, offering up suspense on multiple levels. From the investment in characters like Darcy, and especially Craven, to the mob-connections, and eerie apparitions not only haunting Craven, but his inner demons as well, Overnight takes us on a ride through personal growth, self-reflection, self-destruction, and paranoia. It moves us from simplicity in character relationships to complexity with who each character is and what they bring to the table.

Add in your flavours of suspense, tension, and jump scares, and you have a film you can really invest your time in. Overnight is worth a watch, and then a rewatch, as you connect yourselves to the characters and their experiences, wondering just who, or what, you can become by taking a deep breath, and moving forward.

You can buy/rent Overnight via the Solunar Records store. And don’t forget to snag the EPIC Overnight: soundtrack that features killer artists (as mentioned in the film) like Silhouette Death, Sam Astaroth, and As I Speak – including his cover of Bad Omens‘ “Just Pretend“.