Read Positive User Reviews for The Vast of Night

9

MarakaiAug 26, 2020

You’ll have heard the saying “sometimes less is more” and never has that been more true when it comes to debutant director Andrew Patterson’s impressive low-budget, sci-fi gem, The Vast Of Night. Set in a small town in 1950’s America,You’ll have heard the saying “sometimes less is more” and never has that been more true when it comes to debutant director Andrew Patterson’s impressive low-budget, sci-fi gem, The Vast Of Night. Set in a small town in 1950’s America, Patterson’s film pays homage to classic science-fiction yarns of old like The Day the Earth Stood Still and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, or tapping into Tv shows like The X-Files and (far more obviously in its opening shot) The Twilight Zone. The paranoia of this time in the U.S is evoked wonderfully and Patterson manages to do so with a meagre budget and two brilliant central performances from newcomers Jake Horowitz and Sierra McCormick. From the opening scene, it grips and only expertly builds on that momentum with some inventive directorial touches; dialogue heavy scenes are lingered on, while sweeping tracking shots give a grander overview of the small town and there’s even fade to black moments that capture the wonder (or the dangers) of the night sky surrounding the characters. This is hugely impressive filmmaking from a newcomer that plays out like a live action version of the now infamous and ill-fated Orson Welles radio broadcast of War of the Worlds that caused panic among its listeners. Patterson keeps things very simple and doesn’t rely on special effects, instead showing a confidence in his material and as much as this may irk some viewers just remember... sometimes less is more.… Expand

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8

hnestlyontheslyAug 27, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Vast of Night combines elements of period nostalgia and 1960s tech to tell a riveting story about living in invisible places.

I first heard about The Vast of Night from Matthew Dessem on Slate and his review made enough of an impression that I put it in the calendar. From his review, I was expecting to watch something unsettling and weird, the way that–tease all you want, I went to see it three times in theaters–Under the Skin felt, like your skin was crawling the entire time you watched, like someone was watching you watch it the entire time, gauging your reactions. I like the way that a good UFO movie can do that, the way Personal Shopper can make ghost stories a little bit spooky and strange without a shaky camera or a jump scare. The Vast of Night tells a story worth hearing–sort of a cross between the nostalgic aesthetic of the 1960s Super 8 and Under the Skin‘s skin-crawling filmography.

The film is very simply split into four structural pieces, a single extended opening sequence with our lead man, the radio boy, Everette, and the sixteen-year-old girl, Faye, who goes to high school with him, who works that night’s shift as a phone operator for the small town in New Mexico where they live. Everette is smooth, suave. His mouth runs a mile a minute interviewing people at the big basketball game with Faye stumbling in tow, clearly mooning after him, but also charmed by his willingness to walk her all the way to her job–in what feels like a single shot. Their report is so lively and their chemistry so natural, that you hardly notice how much time has passed until she’s left alone in her booth for a moment of silence.

Faye’s facility with the board, the way it serves so nicely as an analog for the technical skill and fluency that young people these days have with their own forms of technology, is this electric bit of stageplay for the second scene. In terms of storytelling, her ability to weave in and out of conversations, to call on friends and neighbors in town, to receive scraps of calls, have conversations halt mid sentences, makes for an even more tense, even more energized moment of communication than one could imagine with a modern setting, which feels like justification enough for the period. Her call to Everette and the mysterious noise on the switchboard launches us into the third scene: Billy’s story.

Before we get there though, the camera does it’s coolest shot of the whole movie by retracing Everette and Faye’s steps from the door to the operator’s room all the way back to the high school game and out the window to the radio shack. It’s a weird, creepy scene that will make you appreciate the level of meticulous detail to the set, gives the movie a lived-in feel and a vastness that is lacking in other pieces. The way that 1917 felt like a set that–truly was–only as wide as the trench you were standing in, The Vast of Night stretches across a whole town, main street to the high school and the woods beyond.

The way that the direction leaves everything to Billy’s delivery, fading the lights in and out to black with just the sparest of questions from Everette or Faye is such a fun move narratively. Billy’s story reminds me of one of the spookiest pieces of radio I’ve ever heard was an interview that Terry Gross did with investigative reporter and war correspondent Annie Jacobsen about Area 51 awhile back. It’s easy to imagine building a movie around this one story.

The final scene is intriguing because it made some choices. We go to the house of a recluse, who tells us about how her son was abducted. We’re told to recite some lines of magical words that will trigger people who are hyper-sensitive to radio waves–but only while also in the presence of UFOs, which makes for a bone-chilling moment, but doesn’t make a lick of goddamn sense. The slapstick of running versus driving a car gets to be a little monotonous after it’s repeated use, but thankfully, our director makes a choice and sticks to it with our final few shots of the film. The decision to show the ship, in a slow reveal initiated by the ghostly lights over the forest is a throwback to Close Encounters, but at the same time, the main characters’ disappearance feels like it works as metaphor in a way that Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark didn’t quite hit the mark. Kids in a small town who should go far from this place, the old recluse tells us–the kids who have big dreams of moving to the West Coast for a radio job, who can’t imagine paying for college–suddenly disappearing, works well for Vietnam, the invisible folks like Billy, who feel like they were chosen, abducted even, by the US government because no one would miss them to begin with on account of their race. The old lady in her living room tells us, “I think they like small towns… people by themselves” and she projects onto the UFOs the power to make bad decisions, go mad, do evil, make war....… Expand

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9

Xenomorph_killsMay 11, 2021

A beautiful twilight zone esque film that puts its focus on making you care about the characters and create a concise story involving them. The directing of this film is outstanding as he chooses to make the most out of a little by making hisA beautiful twilight zone esque film that puts its focus on making you care about the characters and create a concise story involving them. The directing of this film is outstanding as he chooses to make the most out of a little by making his shots feel like he a veteran of the craft. The choices to build suspension with just voices make this film unique. This movie is damn near perfect sci fi film.… Expand

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7

DubeauJun 2, 2020

This is a relatively good movie. The story is a slow detective journalist work. Perky dialogues, some a bit boring. The Fx are pretty good. Considering that this is a very low budget movie, it is well done. The ending is somewhat puzzling. IThis is a relatively good movie. The story is a slow detective journalist work. Perky dialogues, some a bit boring. The Fx are pretty good. Considering that this is a very low budget movie, it is well done. The ending is somewhat puzzling. I give it 72%. I like the actors a lot in this one. The movie is somewhat too slow at times, and some sequences of filming I didn't like.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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10

Qbert4551May 30, 2020

Such a well written, superbly acted, well shot, excellently directed, lo-fi piece of sci-fi! Super good, two thumbs up!

7 of 17 users found this helpful710

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9

NShep53Jun 19, 2020

A pretty amazing flick, especially for being the director's first feature. He really made $700,000 go a long way.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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10

JachraJun 8, 2020

This is lovely and thoughtful. Absolutely worthwhile. You feel like you're listening to the radio at night.

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8

PalpetineSheevJun 14, 2020

I really enjoyed the first 40 minutes or so of this film. The dialogue was very witty and charming. The look and feel of the movie fit the time period very well, and the performances were strong overall. Unfortunately, it doesn't maintain theI really enjoyed the first 40 minutes or so of this film. The dialogue was very witty and charming. The look and feel of the movie fit the time period very well, and the performances were strong overall. Unfortunately, it doesn't maintain the momentum or intrigue that it builds up during the first half, and it ends on a bit of an predictable and unsatisfying note. But there is still enough good in here to recommend it.… Expand

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8

watchingmovieMay 30, 2020

speechless!! Good cinematography best twist i love the type of that genre absolutely!!!

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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10

PiyazJul 22, 2020

Innovation in editing gives the film the most feeling, as if a story is being told on an old TV, someone is sitting behind the old TV and following the story, the screen turns black because that person closes his eyes in fear, we go to thoseInnovation in editing gives the film the most feeling, as if a story is being told on an old TV, someone is sitting behind the old TV and following the story, the screen turns black because that person closes his eyes in fear, we go to those scenes. We look at the eyes of the second person from the mobile phone, but who is the third person? Who is looking at us? This is the whole story, all.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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8

NavyBeanMay 31, 2020

It is well done and interesting to watch. The set design and cinematography are sharp. It's the script that let me down. We've seen this type of story a lot and I don't think the script brought much new to the genre. Worth watching the director.

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7

Joel_FreecheckJun 4, 2020

"The Vast of Night" is certainly watchable. The pace of dialogue and character revelations is fast and snippy. The plot feels laborious though as the best moments occur either too far into the film or at the very end. Overall a solid watch if"The Vast of Night" is certainly watchable. The pace of dialogue and character revelations is fast and snippy. The plot feels laborious though as the best moments occur either too far into the film or at the very end. Overall a solid watch if you're in it for the long haul and enjoy slow burn sci-fi.… Expand

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8

Davrosdaleks1Jun 7, 2020

This movie on Amazon Prime is a Twilight Zone homage about two friends (played by Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz) in the 50's who discover suspicious airwaves and events hitting their small town. This was an interesting film.

This is oneThis movie on Amazon Prime is a Twilight Zone homage about two friends (played by Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz) in the 50's who discover suspicious airwaves and events hitting their small town. This was an interesting film.

This is one of those movies that is so well visually planned, including a couple inspired moments of cinematography. Vast takes place in real time. Now, this isn't a continuous-shot attempt like 1914, but the film makes use of a lot of tracking shots driving in the immediacy of the events.

For a movie made on a small budget, it looks pretty good. The sets, clothing, and vehicles all evoke the time period.

I also appreciate that although a lot of this involves scenes with a small cast (this takes place at night), the populated scenes look busy. A lot of moderately or low-budget movies these days never seem to have as many extras as they did in the 80's, making them feel less natural. This doesn't have that issue.

The dialogue too flows well. Both the rapport between the two leads and moments of unsettling exposition are so well handled. However, the dialogue can fly pretty fast at points and with most of the characters' heavy southern accents it can be hard to follow sometimes. I definitely missed lines.

Be forewarned that this may be too slow-paced for some people. Also, one may be disappointed in the ending.

I had a good time, but I admit that this may be more of an on-the-fence situation when suggesting to others. The visuals definitely work, but the plot may be more subjective.… Expand

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7

viroodiemJul 31, 2020

7/10 It takes a long time for this slow burner to take to the skies. When it does its creepy vibe is better than a lot of recent alien horror we have gotten from movies as of late.

It was worth my time to watch. Even if I had to watch it at7/10 It takes a long time for this slow burner to take to the skies. When it does its creepy vibe is better than a lot of recent alien horror we have gotten from movies as of late.

It was worth my time to watch. Even if I had to watch it at x1.33 speed to get through it.

Definitely one of the better Amazon based films. Especially given it had flown under the radar (no pun intended)… Expand

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9

zNeverSleepingJul 21, 2020

A Vastidão da Noite é uma ótima reimaginação, que aborda o tema de uma maneira diferente, autoral e aflituosa.

Uma das coisas que mais me chamaram atenção foram os diálogos. Eles, por si só, já são o suficiente para te prender na tela até oA Vastidão da Noite é uma ótima reimaginação, que aborda o tema de uma maneira diferente, autoral e aflituosa.

Uma das coisas que mais me chamaram atenção foram os diálogos. Eles, por si só, já são o suficiente para te prender na tela até o final do longa. Eles são tão bem estruturados que causam um efeito parecido com a leitura de um livro, onde imaginamos a cena através de um conto - o que é MAGNÍFICO. A OST acrescenta muito, e a cinematografia é autoral demais. Os planos, o trackshot audacioso que nos dá a sensação de simultaneidade [ela é importante devido o contexto], a paleta de cores que ficou peculiar com a luz natural e o ISO alto nas gravações. Tudo isso acrescenta muito e ajudam a criar uma atmosfera única.

A tensão vem crescendo de acordo com que o suspense é gerado. Desde o início do filme nos perguntamos: "o que estamos vendo?" e quando as peças começam a encaixar, o clímax vai a mil. Também gosto quando o diretor brinca com nossas expectativas, como quando a carta é ignorada. Ou quando puxa um tema, mas o isola, pois não faz mais parte do presente.

Por fim, The Vast of Night é uma obra de orçamento baixo, porém com uma direção autoral que trabalha muito bem com a reimaginação de um tema muito conhecido. E não nos deixa na mão.… Expand

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7

Stream2BigScreeJul 12, 2020

So, you want to watch a genre movie? Well, how about a good sci-fi mystery? The Vast of Night directed by Andrew Patterson may satisfy that craving. It premiered on Amazon Prime a couple weeks ago, and I caught up to this film on a night ISo, you want to watch a genre movie? Well, how about a good sci-fi mystery? The Vast of Night directed by Andrew Patterson may satisfy that craving. It premiered on Amazon Prime a couple weeks ago, and I caught up to this film on a night I wanted to be creeped out. Here’s how it turned out.

The Vast of Night is framed as an episode of a “Twilight Zone” inspired show, which immediately puts the audience in the mindset to expect the unexpected. Here, on one fateful night in a small New Mexico town in the 1950s, a local DJ, Everett, and a wide-eyed telephone operator, Faye, stumble upon a strange sound that portends mysteriousness for their town while the majority of the townspeople are at a local basketball game. Everett and Faye try to figure out what it all means and all as a sense of dread lurks around them.

The success of The Vast of Night all hinges on the harnessed ominous tone and the undercurrent of unease portrayed by the actors. Patterson does a great job of establishing dread. The camera lurks and leers behind and around Everett and Faye as they move through the town. There is constant movement by the camera and the main characters in the first third of the movie until it settles down. The world is built very effectively by the costumes and setting, which transports the audience to that time and instills that creepiness the production is trying to achieve. While the main actors are not well-known, Jake Horowitz and Sierra McCormick, who play Everett and Faye, respectively, have a great chemistry and make the fanciful believable. Horowitz, in particular, has the cadence and confidence needed to portray Everett and conveys the creepiness. Then, the pace is generally pretty good. At less than 90 minutes, the film does not waste a lot of time.

While the movie doesn’t waste much time, my main issue with The Vast of Night is that there are stretches of the dialogue that feel like long, tedious exposition. The film basically stops for 5-10 minutes at a time for side characters to tell a story about what’s about to happen. Even though the information in the dialogue is pertinent, it could have been delivered in more interesting ways – that’s one failure of the script.

Ultimately, The Vast of Night is a good way to spend about 90 minutes. The mood is on point. There is a palpable sense of dread throughout and the characters feed into it. Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy.… Expand

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9

Parsifal12Jul 16, 2020

Superb writing, absolutely engrossing camera work, and a director who obviously cares deeply about his subject. Just another example of how movies don't need to cost hundreds of millions to draw you in. A splendid film.

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9

kevynknoxDec 15, 2020

Moody and esoteric. The cinematography is gorgeous and haunting. Reminiscent of early Chris Nolan or Aronofsky.