It Comes at Night has been bashed by most people who went to see it for two reasons: Either because they were expecting a zombie horror film with jump scares every other scene, or because they simply didn't understand the message. I believe that It Comes at Night is an overlooked masterpiece that gives an unflinching look into the human psyche.
When many heard the plot, it seems like many of them instantly thought this had something to do with zombies, but it is never really made clear in the film's narrative that that was what the characters are dealing with. We do know that some type of virus is spreading across the world, and it is a problem for the main characters. The film doesn't even give us the context of the title until the third act. (No spoilers)
Most films of this genre have characters that make uncommonly stupid decisions throughout, but It Comes at Night thankfully avoids that. Every decision that the main family makes is completely justified and makes sense in the context of the situation.
The film also doesn't overstay its welcome, with a nice and short ninety-one minute runtime. This is not a movie that requires thirty minutes of character development in order for us to understand what the protagonists are going through.
A special shoutout deserves to be given to Kelvin Harrison Jr., who gives an incredibly complex performance and whose character is the subject of debate for many people who viewed the film.
The big reason people are confused by It Comes at Night, if they got past the fact that it's not a horror movie, is the ending. Without giving anything away, I will say that the ending is ambiguous. The film never gives you a clear answer to the overbearing situation, but that is why I love this film. It never cuts to a compilation of news footage that tells you what happens or even tells you anything at all. Everything that you know is everything that the main characters know. If the main characters don't have a grasp on the science behind the disease, then why should the audience? The ending sticks with this philosophy, and most viewers hated not knowing anything and gave the movie a two star review on IMDb without thinking of the deeper meaning.
I'm not going to get into the meaning because you'll have to watch it to find out, but overall I think that It Comes at Night is totally underrated and should be seen more as long as people go in expecting a psychological thriller.
I give It Comes at Night an A-.
When many heard the plot, it seems like many of them instantly thought this had something to do with zombies, but it is never really made clear in the film's narrative that that was what the characters are dealing with. We do know that some type of virus is spreading across the world, and it is a problem for the main characters. The film doesn't even give us the context of the title until the third act. (No spoilers)
Most films of this genre have characters that make uncommonly stupid decisions throughout, but It Comes at Night thankfully avoids that. Every decision that the main family makes is completely justified and makes sense in the context of the situation.
The film also doesn't overstay its welcome, with a nice and short ninety-one minute runtime. This is not a movie that requires thirty minutes of character development in order for us to understand what the protagonists are going through.
A special shoutout deserves to be given to Kelvin Harrison Jr., who gives an incredibly complex performance and whose character is the subject of debate for many people who viewed the film.
The big reason people are confused by It Comes at Night, if they got past the fact that it's not a horror movie, is the ending. Without giving anything away, I will say that the ending is ambiguous. The film never gives you a clear answer to the overbearing situation, but that is why I love this film. It never cuts to a compilation of news footage that tells you what happens or even tells you anything at all. Everything that you know is everything that the main characters know. If the main characters don't have a grasp on the science behind the disease, then why should the audience? The ending sticks with this philosophy, and most viewers hated not knowing anything and gave the movie a two star review on IMDb without thinking of the deeper meaning.
I'm not going to get into the meaning because you'll have to watch it to find out, but overall I think that It Comes at Night is totally underrated and should be seen more as long as people go in expecting a psychological thriller.
I give It Comes at Night an A-.