I believe great films can stand alone; they don’t require discussion, though at times discussion may add to the experience. The audience’s connection to the characters in Night Comes On is instantaneous regardless of background or prior life experience. You don’t need to be a master movie-watcher to appreciate it.
Nevertheless because of how much I enjoyed my viewing of Night Comes On, and the natural way in which I was able to sit peacefully with my thoughts of thorough satisfaction and appreciation for what I has just experienced, I will try and go a little into what made it such a beautiful and emotional film for me. Night Comes On tells us a story about the LaMere sisters. Angel, newly 18-years-old, reunites with her younger sister Abby after Angel’s release from Juvenile Detention where she was doing time for possession of an unlawful weapon. Her detention began following her mother’s murder by her father. Immediately upon Angel’s release from the court, she begins to look for another firearm.
In her search for a gun, she turns to the father of one of her friends only to be sexually harassed by him. She is blown past and abandoned by almost every adult in the Philadelphia bureaucracy she encounters including the disillusioned employee who explains to her: “Nobody really cares if you make it or you don’t”.
Her sister Abby seems to be the only character she encounters who feels active concern for her. Abby’s love and admiration is clear and heartbreaking in their scenes together. Yet, whether it is because Abby is the only other person to witness their mother’s murder or it is because she is so young and her clinging on to Angel as a role model is too emotionally difficult, Angel makes a decision to abandon Abby after using her to locate her father. He is still living in the house in which he murdered their mother. Witnessing Angel face the perpetrator of her rage, made me want to text my own sibling.
Cinematically there is so much to be appreciated in this film primarily because it is so well done in a human, painful, yet emotionally calming way. Rather than act as a spoiler, revealing the resolution of the story, we choose to let the performances speak for themselves. and urge you see Night Comes On for ourself. You will be glad you did.
Creative credits
- Written by
- Lexi Schiff
- Images courtesy of
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
