Phew! This was a tough pill to swallow. It Comes At Night is NOT your run-of-the-mill horror flick. It’s a slow burn full of suspense. There are key moments when you will feel the tension emanating from the screen. You will be on the edge of your seat holding your breath. This film is very cerebral and will have you wanting to look away but unable to. I enjoyed watching this with my friends and seeing them freak out.
The plot revolves around Paul, played by Joel Edgerton, who is living with his family in a remote area of the woods. Some unnatural sickness has plagued society and Paul will do anything to protect his family. This film reminded me so much of Jaws (1975). The story alludes to this threat that is barely seen, yet present the whole time. You get glimpses, but not the whole thing.
Sound is the most important element of this film. Every single noise makes you feel uncomfortable. The family lives in a secluded area where its very quiet. So when you hear something it could be a potential threat because nobody else is suppose to be out there. That’s what makes the journey so scary, the character doesn’t know, and you don’t know.
It Comes At Night is self-contained and concise. There are enough questions raised that will make you want to keep watching. Some that could be explored in another installment. I found this very entertaining and reminiscent of survival horror games like The Last of Us. Definitely worth checking out. This film earns a solid 9 out of 10.