There’s something much scarier in horror films than icons like Dracula or Michael Myers. Plus, you don’t have to look far and wide to find them. They’re kissing you goodbye every day and sitting across from you at dinner every night. Loved ones. From “Rosemary’s Baby” to “The Invisible Man,” the disturbing depths they sink to never cease to repel an audience and hold them in rapture. And how about the moment when the truth comes out? A new film entitled “The Night” is a prime example of how little husbands and wives may actually know about each other.
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Directing the picture is Kourosh Ahari. He also serves as its editor and shares writing credit with Milad Jarmooz. The movie’s greatest footprint—perhaps—is the sense of Iranian national pride it exudes via multiple aspects. For one, its cast and crew mostly contain individuals capable of tracing their roots back to that country. The project was also granted release approval in Iran. Since the country’s revolution, it is the first film produced in the U.S. to earn that distinction. Last but not least, Iranian cinema moves closer to getting the recognition it deserves on the medium’s world stage.
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Cannes award winner Shahab Hosseini (“The Salesman”) stars as husband Babak. Playing wife Neda is Niousha Jafarian. Additional cast members include Leah Oganyan and George Maguire (“Generations”).
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Here’s the synopsis:
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The Night is a psychological thriller that follows an Iranian couple, Babak and Neda, and their one-year-old daughter, Shabnam. Returning home from a friend’s gathering, Babak drives drunkenly, too stubborn to let Neda drive with a suspended license. When Babak’s driving threatens the safety of the family, Neda insists they stay the night at a hotel. Once they check-in, Babak and Neda find themselves imprisoned, forced to face the secrets they’ve kept from each other. And though the clock moves forward, “the night” never ends.
“The Night” is set to be released in select theaters, on digital platforms, and on VOD on January 29 via IFC Midnight. Will it be check-out time for the couple? Be sure to check out the trailer below.