Movie spotlight
At the dawn of the space-race, two radio-obsessed teens discover a strange frequency over the airwaves in what becomes the most important night of their lives and in the history of their small town.
In a small 1950s New Mexico town, a young switchboard operator and a charismatic radio DJ discover a strange audio frequency that could be an alien signal. As they investigate, they delve into the town's hidden history and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact, facing mounting fear and paranoia from their community. Their quest for answers leads them to a mysterious figure who might hold the key to understanding the unknown phenomenon.
The Vast of Night was widely acclaimed by critics for its atmospheric tension, striking visuals, and strong performances, particularly from its young leads. It was praised for its clever homage to classic science fiction while carving out its own unique identity. The film's low-budget success and ambitious storytelling resonated with both critics and audiences, establishing it as a standout indie sci-fi achievement.
Praised for its captivating atmosphere and retro aesthetic.
Hailed for strong performances and inventive storytelling on a limited budget.
Noted for its compelling mystery and effective build-up of tension.
Google audience: Audiences lauded the film's suspenseful narrative, engaging dialogue, and authentic 1950s setting. Many appreciated the slow-burn mystery and the chemistry between the lead actors, finding it to be a refreshing and intelligent take on the alien encounter genre.
Nominated for Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards. Won the award for Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards.
Director Andrew Patterson created the film's distinctive visual style and sound design himself due to budget constraints, channeling influences from classic sci-fi films and his own experiences.
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Opening with long mid-shots and seemingly unnecessary chatter, the film spends a few minutes delivering a kind of challenge along the lines of “Alright, let’s clear the floor of the kids and make room for real cinephiles—no need for unneces...
A throwback to the radio plays of old. The title is perfect, as it sets the exact mood for viewing. With the modern world getting brighter and more interconnected with satellites filling the sky, true darkness is disappearing. This f...
The Vast of Night (2020) is a spiritual successor to Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds broadcast. This film understands the power of the spoken word (its heroes are a late night DJ and a phone operator), and puts it to great use to tell a fas...
Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/Sjqv6iKZTwc Growing up watching _The Twilight Zone_, _The X-Files_, and terrifying my childhood self by reading books about UFOs and aliens, its fair to say that I have a ...