Calling all supernatural fans and single-locations addicts! Zoom horror freaks, assemble. Jennifer Reeder’s Night’s End is the most recent Quarantine-sploitation flick to hit streaming services. The supernatural horror follows an isolated character as they go toe-to-toe with a spirit haunting their new apartment. Following one character and a handful of talking heads via Zoom, Night’s End stands shoulder to shoulder with nearly every single location horror of the past two years. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite offer much in the way of surprises but it’s an entertaining by-the-books spookshow with an explosive finish.

You really gotta hand it to horror filmmakers and their refusal to put down their cameras in the face of the global pandemic. In the wake of this creative constraint, we’ve seen some truly spectacular storytelling and the emergence of voices that might not have otherwise found their way into the spotlight. Night’s End is as ambitious as any indie production, and one that finds clever character beats and interesting camerawork wherever it can.

“Night’s End is worth sticking through to the end […] it packs one heck of a punch…”

Here’s who made it: Directing from a screenplay written by Brett Neveu, Jennifer Reeder’s Night’s End stars Geno Walker (Chicago Fire), Kate Arrington (Knives and Skin), Felonius Munk (For Life), and a surprise appears from Michael Shannon of all people. Rounding out the limited cast are Daniel Kyri (Chicago Fire) and Theo Germaine (The 4400) as internet-based paranormal experts, Morgan S. Reesh as the monsters lurking in the shadows, and Lawrence Grimm (Slice) as a gothic, surprisingly deadpan demonologist.

Here’s what it’s about: After his life was upended by a series of unfortunate events that lead to the loss of his livelihood, his family, and his sanity, Ken Barber (Geno Walker) has relocated in hopes of turning over a new leaf. With no job prospects and worsening agoraphobia, Ken has started a youtube channel of tips for everything from workplace management to lawn care. When one of his friends notices something moving in the background of a recent video, Ken begins to believe that his house is haunted. Sure, the views on his channel are better than ever before, and he’s got a whole team of people trying to help him excise this spirit, but the closer he gets to the truth the more his life begins to spiral out of control…

Here’s why you might like it: If you’ve been eating up every made-in-quarantine horror movie of the last 2 years you’ll really dig Night’s End. It doesn’t necessarily offer up much in terms of new tricks or treats for the single-locations-mostly-on-zoom trend we’ve seen so much of but it still spins a good yarn. Sometimes the biggest thing going against you with a movie like Night’s End is how many similar movies you’ve already hungrily eaten up. If you (like me) watch every damn horror movie that comes out, it’s important to remind yourself from time to time that you’re always going to be harder to surprise. That said, if supernatural horror is your jam, and you love those ghosty/demony tropes, you’ll find something to love about this stripped-down, contained chiller.

Here’s my honest opinion: Night’s End is worth sticking through to the end, even if you think you’re way ahead of what this movie has planned for you. Its finale isn’t as holy shit! a climax as something like The Mist or The Sixth Sense but it packs one heck of a punch before smash cutting to credits. Night’s End would make a great Friday night double bill with fellow Shudder Original The Cleansing Hour. Both feature live streams (to great effect) in their 3rd acts, and both leave you with a strong final image that makes up for any familiar waffling or predictable meandering.

“…doesn’t necessarily offer up much in terms of new trick or treats […] but it still spins a good yarn.”

Jennifer Reeder’s Night’s End is streaming now on Shudder! Let us know what you thought of this contained supernatural story over on Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, and in the official Nightmare on Film Street Discord.

Not a social media fan? Get more horror delivered straight to your inbox by joining the Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter.