Before the Night is Over

Director - Richard Griffin (Frankenstein's Hungry Dead, Nun of That)
Starring - Samantha Acampora (Murder University, The Disco Exorcist), Ricky Irizarry (Gun Point), and Victoria Paradis (Code Name: Dynastud, Gabrielle)
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "It's very late.  You're all alone.  What will you do"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last 14 months has been filled with ups and downs.  I lost my father, my wife lost her brother, and our home caught fire.  My social media presence is not what it once was.  I rarely scroll through my news feed because so many of you fuckers are just toxic.  I share memes and make stupid posts but I rarely scroll through my feed.  I just don't need that kind of negativity in my life at the moment.  The downside to not keeping up to date with social media is that I miss posts from my favorite filmmakers and actors.  Sometime back Richard Griffin, or The Richard Griffin as I like to refer to him, announced a new horror film, Before the Night is Over.  Griffin is one of my favorite filmmakers and missing this news was like missing one of my children's birthdays.  He reached out to me when he completed the trailer and asked to share it but I dropped the ball.  My brother-in-law had passed that day and I was running clean up for my wife and mother-in-law.  Jump forward a few months and Griffin has surprised me with a completed film for review.  I knew I would love it but Griffin really surprised me with this one.  Thanks Richard for allowing me the opportunity to check this one out.
     The film follows Samantha (Acampora) who is sent to live with her aunt in an all male bordello following the death of her parents.  However, this bordello is more than it seems and when a series of disappearances happen among those living there.  As she tries to uncover the truths behind the disappearances the unravels the dark secrets hiding behind the walls...and in plain sight.      

     Griffin has yet to disappoint me.  His movies are not your typical horror films and if you go into them expecting such you will be disappointed.  His movies are more substance than blood splatter which is what I prefer.  Before the Night is Over is easily my favorite film of his and with this I can't wait to see where he takes us with his next film.  The acting in this one is unbelievable.  I review indie productions all the time and none are near this level of acting.  The entire cast delivers unforgettable performances and brings to life some very memorable characters.  It would be extremely difficult to praise each and every actor/actress in this film so I'm not.  However, they all do deserve their own praise but I'm a lazy piece of shit that doesn't want to do it.  Sorry!  The story for this one reminds me a lot of those late night erotic flicks from Skinamax with a southern twist.  Most of my friends would sneak and watch these films but my dad was not the best parent in the world.  I would just watch them freely in my room...hands above the blankets.  BtNiO really had that tone which hit me with a wave of nostalgia.  I liked the southern whore house angle as well and the horror aspect really worked against the erotic.  With that being said, the film does require your attention.  If you miss a second from any scene you will find yourself confused and rewinding the scene back to catch the piece you missed.  Its a very rich and compelling story full of eroticism, mystery, and the occasional horror element.  Finally, if you are looking for blood and gore you will surely be disappointed.  However, if you are looking for the perfect male physique and some practical effects you will find more than enough here.  Overall, Before the Night is Over is a god damn masterpiece of indie cinema.  It may not be the most terrifying horror film to date but the amazing cast and gorgeous cinematography makes it a must watch.  Director Richard Griffin has really outdone himself here and has cemented himself as one of my favorite directors.