The Long Night – Movie Review (2/5)

THE LONG NIGHT (aka The Coven) is a new horror movie with plenty of potential. It just never really becomes scary which is a big issue for a horror movie. The actors work but don’t have much to work with. Read our full The Long Night movie review here!

THE LONG NIGHT is a new horror movie that was previously known under the title The Coven. To be fair, The Coven is a pretty generic title that also gives very specific connotations, so I get the title change. Unfortunately, no title makes this movie more interesting.

With the cast attached to this title, I probably had my expectations (and certainly hopes) up too much for this movie. I kept waiting for it to be scary, but it always felt a little off to me. I can’t blame the actors, but the story – or rather the execution of telling it on-screen – just fell flat for me.

Continue reading our The Long Night movie review below.

This had actual potential

I’m probably being harder on this movie because I did expect more from it. Also, it did begin with a cool and eerie vibe. The initial story and opening scenes made me think that this could be something good.

To be blunt, I saw immediate potential in this horror movie, and then it just fizzled out. Again, despite good actors who delivered strong performances. There was just something in the timing of scary moments that always hit just off the mark.

For a horror movie, that’s a damn big issue. The movie clearly felt like a tribute at times with the opening scene that felt reminiscent of various movies that feature city kids who go out to rural areas. So while it was familiar in good ways it also just lost its nerve and edge in ways we’ve seen before.

Scout Taylor-Compton is better than this

The star of The Long Night is Scout Taylor-Compton who has already become quite a final girl in her own right. She was in Rob Zombie’s Halloween movies and while I wasn’t a huge fan of those, I did like what she brought to them.

Admittedly, the fact that she was headlining the cast in this horror movie was enough reason for me to want to watch it. However, her character never reaches any interesting levels either.

MORE WITH SCOUT TAYLOR-COMPTON

Check out Feral (2017) – you can read our review here >

Also starring in this movie is Nolan Gerard Funk who is another actor I always want to watch. He is intriguing and fascinating in the way he brings life into his characters. Nolan Gerard Funk was also in Truth or Dare (2018), but for me, the movie Deadgirl (2008) is what won me over!

Other actors, I always like, who are part of this cast in key roles are Deborah Kara Unger (Cronenberg’s Crash, Fincher’s The Game) and Jeff Fahey (The Lawnmower Man).

Watch The Long Night in theaters, digitally, or on Shudder

The Long Night was directed by Rich Ragsdale who previously directed a lot of music videos and short films. Apart from the 2005 horror movie The Curse of El Charro, this is his only feature film.

The screenplay was written by Robert Sheppe and Mark Young. This is the only IMDb credit (of any kind) for Robert Sheppe while Mark Young has been writing and directing horror movies for around two decades. Including Feral (which also starred Scout Taylor-Compton) and Tooth and Nail (2007).

I hate talking only in negative terms about any production, so let me state clearly that while this movie was not to my liking, I am sure others will love it. For me, the good cast just did not make up for the story and pace which were not executed well. Unfortunately.

THE LONG NIGHT is out in Theaters and Available Digitally on February 4, 2022. It will also be out on Shudder on June 30, 2022.

Details

Director: Rich Ragsdale
Screenwriters: Robert Sheppe, Mark Young
Cast: Scout Taylor-Compton, Nolan Gerard Funk, Deborah Kara Unger