[FANTASTIC FEST 2019] ‘AFTER MIDNIGHT’ Review

After Midnight is not your average creature feature. In fact it’s not really about the monster, so much as it is about a metaphorical monster..though yes, there is a monster (and it’s awesome). Jeremy Gardner’s previous film, 2012’s The Battery, is one of the most unique post-apocalypse films of the past 30 years, as it too offers something far different than the expected. It’s more a meditation on opposites stuck together, friendship, and loneliness as it is about the undead. After Midnight, his third film (co-directed with cinematographer Christian Stella), is about being stuck in a relationship, dealing with loss, and being at a turning point in your life. But, again, there is also a real monster (and it’s rad as fuck).

Hank (Gardner) is going through a rough time right now. First his girlfriend Abby (Brea Grant) disappears, and now there’s a monster who keeps visiting his house at night and harassing him. It’s thought to be a bear, or a large cat by his friends Wade (Henry Zebrowski) and Shane (Justin Benson), not entirely believing his claims of something unnatural outside the door at night. Every night progresses further in attempting to catch (or at least catch proof) that this thing exists. He still has no idea where Abby has gone, and through flashbacks we begin to learn there’s a bit more to the story than we initially thought. Also, don’t forget there’s that actual monster out there somewhere.

Gardner’s storytelling here is leaps and bounds above The Battery (which I thoroughly enjoy). The way the information unfolds and the pace of the movie is absolutely fantastic. We aren’t sure if Hank is going crazy or what really happened to Abby, and the character strengths help to keep the mysteries interesting. Revelations hit with a resonance, and I think this is probably the best work I’ve seen from Grant, who I feel is often good and usually overlooked. She and Gardner share a wonderful chemistry that feels like a lived in relationship. It made what the two are going through really stick with me in resonance. Also, really kick ass monster, everyone. I promise.

In both of his recent films Gardner has chosen some great music that I’ve never heard before, from artists I don’t know, and every track fits the scene so well. There’s a musical moment in this movie that is so touching, and so absolutely unforgettable. I love the collaborative nature between Gardner and Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, starring in each other’s projects, producing, and sharing an effects team (who created the awesome creature in Spring). I am consistently excited by whatever they tackle next. This group of young, indie horror minds, also including the likes of (Joe Begos and Mickey Keating) are keeping the genre just as exciting as the heavy hitters like Ari Aster and Jordan Peele. Highly recommended, see it as soon as you get the chance.

In addition to playing at Fantastic Fest 2019, After Midnight has been picked up for distribution in early 2020 from the good people at Crank’d Up Films!