The Vast of Night (2019)

O’Sullivan says the film deserves the hype, while noting its quieter, wonkier style. She particularly praises its extraordinary tracking shots, which give the town and story a thrilling sense of urgency.

Lane calls the film an absorbing, carefully crafted piece of small-scale science fiction. He especially praises its patient storytelling and a remarkable tracking shot that tours the town, though he finds the concluding effects unnecessary.

Willmore praises the film as a thrilling, fresh discovery that balances retro sci-fi with a modern sensibility. She singles out its audacious long take and sound-driven filmmaking, while noting one monologue strains for gravitas.

Freer finds the film an assured, original, and moving piece of sci-fi that announces a singular talent. He particularly praises its fluid camera work and evocative, non-nostalgic recreation of the 1950s.

The critic finds the film riveting and ultimately heartbreaking, praising its formal inventiveness. They also single out the fully realised, lived-in Americana and the leads’ magnetic performances.

Lattanzio finds the film a charming, confident, and genuinely spooky debut, despite a disappointing reveal in its final act. He praises the lead actors’ buoyant chemistry and the director’s assured visual craft.

Rife praises the film as an assured, resourceful indie achievement, despite finding its conclusion somewhat predictable. She singles out its inventive use of dialogue, sound, and camerawork to build atmosphere on a limited budget.

Chang finds the film an ingenious, strikingly new blend of old storytelling forms, and says it builds investment in its characters with pleasing clarity. He especially praises the performances that make the radio conversations captivating, alongside the cinematography’s arresting night-time tracking shots.

The critic praises the film as a stylish, knowing riff on Twilight Zone-style storytelling. They single out the engagingly offbeat leads and the absorbing monologues.

Kermode finds the film a mesmerising, well-paced mystery that makes familiar science-fiction territory feel intriguing. He especially praises its inventive camerawork and the moments when it lets the characters and sound hold the audience’s attention.

Nicholson finds the film charming and inventive, with an execution that makes its familiar B-movie premise engaging. She especially praises the ambitious tracking shot and the crew’s creativity in turning budget limits into magic.

Bowen finds the film lovely and wistful, praising its patient cultivation of anticipation. He singles out its intimate radio-drama approach and evocative tracking shots, while noting that the payoff is limited.

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The critic finds the film intriguingly quirky but frustratingly obscure, with long conversations and an abrupt ending weakening its impact. The fluid camerawork and convincing mid-1950s production design stand out for praise.

Barsanti praises the film as a beautifully atmospheric, suspenseful debut that favors mystery over explanation. He singles out its assured long takes and evocative use of vintage broadcast equipment.

The critic finds the film a gripping, charming sci-fi adventure that feels both rooted in the 1950s and relevant today. They especially praise its immersive sound design and camera work, including a remarkable continuous shot through town.

Fletcher calls the film a glorious, confident sci-fi homage and praises its blend of B-movie fun and arthouse craft. She especially singles out the chemistry between its leads and the meticulous sense of time and place.

Wilkinson finds the film a familiar but compelling story, with its inventive filmmaking making it stand out. She especially praises Patterson’s pacing, camerawork and sound design for building tension without relying on special effects.

The critic calls the film an impressive, distinctive debut, despite finding its framing device a misstep. They praise the performances and sound design, especially the eerie, carefully developed signal.

The review finds the film an engrossing, inventive homage that overcomes its familiar sci-fi premise. It singles out the clever camera work and long tracking shots, alongside the lead performances.

The review finds the film atmospheric and arresting, with familiar material elevated by its execution. It singles out the leads’ vibrant performances, stylish visuals, and lively chemistry, while noting that exposition slows the narrative.

Mirabal finds the film dazzling and uniquely unsettling, though she says its leads do not develop enough to deepen the emotional impact. She praises Patterson’s inventive camera work and use of sound to evoke the suspense of classic television and radio.

Robinson finds the film’s storytelling spectacular, though its framing device adds unnecessary ironic distance and its protagonists have too little to do. She especially praises the hushed atmosphere created by the cinematography and sound design.

Goldberg finds the film stylish but ultimately shallow, with its mystery unable to sustain interest. He praises Andrew Patterson’s assured direction and atmosphere, while criticizing the thin characterization and screenplay.