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“Night Shift” Plot Summary
Like working an actual night shift, the horror movie “Night Shift” starts off as a fun and intriguing time but quickly turns into a sleepy bore. Written and directed by the China Brothers, “Night Shift” is a quick and economical 83-minute movie that becomes so stuffed with exposition and twists that it feels unsure of itself. “Night Shift” may be having fun, but viewers will have checked out sooner than expected.
“Night Shift” begins with Gwen (Phoebe Tonkin), a lone traveler, driving to reach a rundown motel for her first night shift. But truth be told, this is Gwen’s first work shift at this motel, ever. Seemingly answering a desperate gig call, Gwen agrees to check in guests, tend to their needs, and supervise the motel overnight for cold, hard cash. A nervous yet affable Teddy Miles (Lamorne Morris) offers Gwen this job and explains that this motel has been part of his family for decades. It may look like a rat’s paradise, but Teddy assures Gwen that the motel is harmless.
Within an hour of Gwen being left alone, doors start opening by themselves, phones start ringing, and a mysterious car stalks the premises. Gwen takes some comfort in a motel guest named Alice (Madison Hu), who informs Gwen that the motel has a history of being haunted. But the moment Gwen is left alone, she starts seeing a grotesque figure who may or may not be real, and that may or may not put the motel guests in danger. Gwen can’t determine what’s really happening, and she fears that she and others won’t survive the night.
“Night Shift” has its fair share of jump scares and includes some nice character developments and interactions. But the sum of its scares doesn’t add up and leaves you feeling as if the movie was a bunch of separate rough drafts smushed together. “Night Shift” makes the most of its one-location story, but you’ll be left scratching your head rather than shaking with fear by the movie’s end.
Content Information
“Night Shift” is not rated but includes some profanity and strong violence, including dead bodies, impalings, and gore.
Other Noteworthy Information
- “Night Shift” was shot over the course of 17 days during the COVID pandemic in 2020.
“Night Shift” General Information
| Director(s) | Benjamin China and Paul China |
| Screenplay By | Benjamin China and Paul China |
| Date Released | March 8, 2023 |
| How To Watch | Video On Demand |
| Genre(s) | Horror |
| Film Length | 1 Hour, 23 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Gwen Taylor | Phoebe Tonkin |
| Teddy Miles | Lamorne Morris |
| Alice | Madison Hu |
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Gwen (Phoebe Tonkin)
Gwen is a woman capable of running a motel due to her mom’s job experience. While Gwen is desperate for money, the motel forces her to confront some unresolved trauma and ghosts from her past.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Originals.”
Teddy (Lamorne Morris)
Teddy is the owner and chief manager of the motel. While he’s shifty and not always entirely truthful about the motel’s shortcomings, he’s seemingly oblivious about the motel’s hauntings.
- The actor is also known for their role in “New Girl.”
Alice (Madison Hu)
Alice is a guest at the motel and the sole person willing to chat and bond with Gwen there. She’s staying after a fight with her mom and knows about the motel’s haunted origins.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Brothers Sun.”
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Let us know your thoughts in the comments:
- Did you enjoy “Night Shift?” What would you have done differently with the story or film?
Highlights
Solid Acting and Dialogue Create Believable Character Interactions
The start of “Night Shift” lures us in with the breezy charm of Lamore Morris’ Teddy Miles and Gwen Taylor’s mysterious past. Their conversation unfolds naturally enough that you wish the two would share more scenes together. The same is true of Phoebe Tonkin and Madison Hu together, as well as Patrick Fischler’s insufferable Warner. “Night Shift” creates so much fun in the ghoulish motel culture that I wish the movie focused more on these interactions than the random terrors.
Low Points
Amount of Twists and Plot Points Makes “Night Shift” Muddled
About halfway through “Night Shift,” Madison Hu’s Alice finally remarks that the motel is one of the most haunted places. We never find out why. The combination of ghost girls and a killer-on-the-loose story is tied together in a clumsy way because the movie doesn’t give us enough clues early on to feel rewarded. Ultimately, “Night Shift” feels like it’s attempting so much in 80 minutes that it doesn’t satisfy any story it’s telling.
On The Fence
Horror Tropes Feel Like a Chore
Stop me if you’ve seen this before: a phone rings in the middle of the night, but no one’s on the other end. That’s the first ghoulish thing to happen to Gwen in “Night Shift,” followed by a mysterious laugh on the other end and a blaring music accent. We never find out who was laughing, do we? The random calls, mysterious cars, milky eyes, and rats in “Night Shift” feel like an obligatory checklist with little connection rather than an inspired or innovative choice to scare viewers.
Good If You Like
- Horror movies or movies with twists.
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