In an interrogation room, a young man named Bent Segenius Midjord (Casper Kjær Jensen) is being questioned by an officer named Kramer (Paprika Steen). Bent is covered in blood, and Kramer accuses him of cutting a vicar’s throat. During the interview, Bent claims that he had nothing to do with the crime, but instead, “it” is responsible. He also reveals strange drawings on his arms that he claims he did not make and that a force lives within him. As Bent is being interviewed, Kramer’s coworkers reveal to the audience that Bent once belonged to a psychiatric unit, and the workers who cared for him claimed he was a good patient. Kramer notes that his behaviour is like another killer from the past and the interview ends tragically, with more blood spilled.
We then meet Emma (Fanny Leander Bornedal), who is sorting her mother’s belongings with her father, Martin (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Emma’s mother recently passed away due to suicide. While looking through the various belongings, Emma unexpectedly discovers some old newspapers that reveal her parents survived a brutal attack described as a “Night Terror” almost thirty years ago. During that horrific night, Emma’s father was working as a Nightwatch. In the present day, Emma is studying medicine. She soon hears about a job opening at The Institute of Forensic Medicine for a night watchman position – the exact same job her father once had. Emma jumps at the opportunity, given her current financial situation. However, the job is not easy and comes with its own set of challenges. Emma will be alone at night with dead bodies in the dark, dull, and smelly atmosphere, and some say there’s an evil presence lurking around.
Emma seeks the job not only for the sake of money but also because she hopes to find more information about the night her parents survived the terrible attack. Her father refuses to discuss it, so she wants to investigate the incident herself. As she begins her new job, Emma uncovers the evil doings that took place and discovers that the killer responsible is still alive but in a coma. Driven by curiosity and a desire to give her father some peace of mind, Emma seeks out the man who tried to kill her parents. However, this decision puts herself, her friends, and her loved ones in danger as she unlocks the past and raises new mysteries.
Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever is a gripping drama-thriller with some intense horror elements. The movie was written and directed by Ole Bornedal, known for other films, including Possession (2012) and The Shadow in My Eye (2021). Interestingly, Bornedal also wrote and directed the original Nightwatch (1991) and its 1994 remake, featuring Ewan McGregor. I’m excited to announce this film serves as a sequel to The Nightwatch from 1991. Bornedal has continued to work with the original concept, creating unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience invested and guessing.
The movie has a complex storyline with several mysteries and intricate details. Although it takes some time to build up, the story’s direction becomes engrossing after the initial hour. As the story progresses, Emma faces some tough choices, which lead to new mysteries and surprising twists in the finale. There were some great moments of tension, violence, conflict, drama, and tragedy, which were all highly appreciated.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s portrayal of Martin was commendable, and Fanny Leander Bornedal’s performance as the lead, Emma, was equally impressive. However, some of the characters’ choices weren’t always ideal, which unfortunately affected the film’s overall quality at various times. While I appreciated the high level of detail in the plot and the build-up to an intense mystery, I found that the entire movie felt too long. Some scenes didn’t seem necessary, and even subplots, like Emma’s relationship with a fellow student, felt like they didn’t always justify their purpose as part of the film but would have been more fitting if this were a TV series. I enjoyed the visual aspects of this film.
Overall, if you enjoyed the previous Nightwatch film from 1991, you’ll enjoy this new film from the same writer and director, Ole Bornedal. The movie presents a new, fascinating mystery with plenty of detail and backstory to keep you guessing. It is not just a horror film with thrills but also a drama that explores the consequences of one’s good and bad choices. While it has some excellent performances, the film’s runtime feels slightly slow at times, and the core story takes a while to get started before the audience fully engages in the thrilling ride. Nevertheless, it’s still an exciting concept that successfully surprises its viewers.
Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever (2023) is Now Available exclusively on Shudder.
6.5/10
26th May 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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