Making movies is tough. You need a good script, solid acting, and a competent director to tie everything together. Night Shift is a prime example of what happens when one of those elements is missing. Directed by the China Brothers (Paul and Ben), this film boasts decent performances and a somewhat effective early direction, but its script, oh boy, is a hot mess. The plot hinges on a twist that’s a bit absurd and overused, turning what could’ve been an atmospheric horror flick into a pile of spooky clichés and missed opportunities.

Meet Gwen (Phoebe Tonkin), a down-on-her-luck drifter starting her first day at the All Tucked Inn motel, a place so dilapidated that even the roaches have given up hope. Her new boss, Teddy (Lamorne Morris), gives her a quick tour, points out the creepy room that no one stays in (classic), and leaves her to fend off ghosts, potential killers, and the crippling realization that she’s made a terrible career choice.

The first 30 minutes of Night Shift trick you into thinking this might be a decent movie. The performances are surprisingly good for a low-budget indie, and there’s a nice spooky atmosphere. But then the plot takes a nosedive into WTF territory. We get vague glimpses of ghosts and hints at a haunted reputation, but nothing concrete. It’s like the China Brothers were trying to build suspense by giving us as little information as possible, but instead, they just left us confused and impatient… Spoilers Ahead.

The movie meanders for an hour before finally revealing Gwen’s tragic backstory: she’s the sole survivor of a brutal home invasion. The killer was locked up but, surprise, he’s escaped and is now conveniently lurking around the motel. Because dealing with ghosts wasn’t enough, let’s throw in a deranged murderer for good measure. This twist might have been intriguing if it hadn’t been done a million times before, and done better.

So, Gwen’s fighting off ghosts and a psycho killer. The big reveal at the end is supposed to tie these elements together. Honestly, I didn’t really see the twist coming and don’t really believe people who say it was predictable. Nonetheless, the reveal that it’s truly Gwen who killed her family, not some other psychopath, is certainly not novel.

Night Shift isn’t all bad. The film is good at building suspense and maintaining intrigue, even if it doesn’t know where it’s going with it. The motel’s creepy vibe, complete with a spooky sinkhole and ominous shadows, adds to the tension. There are some incredible shots too. But the scares are mostly cheap jump-scares, and the plot is too muddled to deliver any real impact.

Phoebe Tonkin does a commendable job as Gwen, making her character’s paranoia and desperation feel real. Madison Hu, playing the runaway teen Alice, and Lamorne Morris, as the affable yet slightly sketchy Teddy, add some much-needed depth and humor to the story. But the film’s supporting characters, like the obnoxious rich couple played by Patrick Fischler and Lauren Bowles, are underutilized and don’t contribute much to the plot.

The ending, a twist that feels more like a desperate attempt to shock the audience than a natural conclusion, doesn’t do the film any favors. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say it involves mental illness in a way that feels cheap and exploitative. It’s a tired trope that’s been done to death and doesn’t add anything new or interesting to the story.

In summary, Night Shift is like a night at a sketchy motel: it starts with promise but ends in disappointment. It’s a film that tries to blend supernatural horror with psychological thrills but ends up being a mishmash of tired clichés and unfulfilled potential. The China Brothers show some promise as directors, but they need a script that’s as good as their ability to create atmosphere and suspense. Until then, Night Shift, while very watchable, is a horror flick that’s better left in the bargain bin.

Director: Benjamin China, Paul China
Writer: Benjamin China, Paul China
Released March 8, 2024