James DeMonaco (“The Purge“) has mostly lived in the horror genre throughout his career. He gained notoriety throughout his involvement in the topical ‘Purge’ films, directing the first three films and producing “The First Purge” and “The Forever Purge.” That franchises’ profitability under the Blumhouse banner has given the director the freedom to work on something new. And DeMonaco is taking a wildly different turn with his next production.
“This is the Night”—which gets a one-week theatrical run starting September 17 before hitting digital—is produced again by Jason Blum and is not a horror movie. It is a coming-of-age family drama centered around an Italian American family in the early 1980s. The film is set in Staten Island – where DeMonaco grows up – and bases its core in the ‘Rocky’ franchise, namely “Rocky III.”
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Naomi Watts (“Mulholland Drive“), frequent DeMonaco collaborator Frank Grillo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier“), and Bobby Cannavale (“Homecoming“) are all set to star. Joining them are up and comers Lucius Hoyos (“Heroes Reborn“), Jonah Hauer-King (“Little Women” 2017), River Alexander (“The Way, Way Back“), and Chase Vacnin (“Drama Club“).
DeMonaco called this film his “love letter to cinema” in a press release. This appears to be a more personal project for the filmmaker after his success with “The Purge” franchise. The film may or may not be great, DeMonaco’s horror entries have not exactly been critical hits. With that said, it is respectable that DeMonaco has taken the time to craft a film that hits closer to home. So, don’t expect to see violent deaths or creepy men in founding father masks here.
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“This is the Night” hits theaters for one week starting Friday, September 17th. You can rent it from your home starting on September 21st.
