Against The Night

In the thriller movie Against The Night, a group of friends decides to explore an abandoned prison for an adventurous night out. The prison named Bartholomew Penitentiary was the place where once the worst criminals were imprisoned before it was shut down years ago. Against The Night is set in a dystopian world that is slowly but surely wearing down as society breaks down and vigilantes run wild in the streets.

The friends consist of a group of filmmakers who are shooting a movie about the mythos of the prison. Their goal is to document their explorations and create an interesting visual project out of their time in the prison. They are lured into the prison by a mysterious man who promises them access to parts of the prison that no one has ever seen before.

The group of friends enter the prison through the sewers, and they gradually begin to realize that there is something not quite right about Bartholomew Penitentiary. There is no way out, and the mysterious man who lured them into the prison with the promise of a unique experience is nowhere to be found. What begins as a fun adventure quickly turns into a fight for survival as they find themselves trapped in a place where they do not belong.

Against The Night features an ensemble cast of new faces, with some familiar faces like Frank Whaley playing the role of the prison's sinister warden, and Hannah Kleeman playing the part of the group's leader, Dawn. The chemistry between the cast is authentic, and they manage to convincingly portray young people in love with the thrill of adventure and the filmmaker's pursuit of a good story.

The filmmakers cleverly use the abandoned prison as a character in its own right as they aim to create an eerie atmosphere. Cinematographer, Matthew Mendelson's use of lighting is excellent, generating a feeling of isolation and claustrophobia that envelops the audience. The ominous music of Brian Lee creates an ambiance of terror, leaving the viewers constantly on the edge of their seats.

The characters are typical of young adults thrust into an extraordinary, and then horrific, situation. They react realistically to their circumstances, with some rising to the occasion and others crumbling in fear. Against The Night manages to create believable tension and characters, something that is often overlooked in Hollywood's horror films.

As they traverse through the prison's dark, decaying halls, they discover that they are not alone. The past convicts who died within the prison's walls have been resurrected from the dead by some mysterious force, and now they are determined to kill the intruders. The group is forced to fight for their survival against an army of the undead. As they attempt to flee and find a way out, they gradually begin to piece together the mystery of the prison and the sinister force that controls its inhabitants.

Against The Night is an engaging thriller with well-executed scares, characters who are easy to engage, and a unique setting that adds to the eerie atmosphere. The movie takes its time developing the mystery, and the final reveal of the mysterious force behind the mayhem is both shocking and satisfying.

In conclusion, Against The Night is a prime example of low-budget, high-quality horror films that will leave the viewers on the edge of their seats. Despite its rough edges, the movie's unique setting, strong acting, and effective scares make it a film worth watching. It might not be the most polished horror film you will see, but it is an excellent independent movie that will please fans of the genre.