Directed by:
Ole BornedalScreenplay:
Ole BornedalCinematography:
Dan LaustsenCast:
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Sofie Gråbøl, Kim Bodnia, Lotte Andersen, Ulf Pilgaard, Rikke Louise Andersson, Stig Hoffmeyer, Ulrich Thomsen, Kjeld Nørgaard (more)Reviews (3)
The Night Watchman is a terribly likeable film with likeable actors and an even more likeable story and point, as a bonus it mixes genres with a hint of comedy and beautifully separates different scenes (for example in a restaurant, pub, or at a mass). At that moment, you wouldn't even say they have anything in common with that thriller. Throughout the runtime, a very dense atmosphere dominates, and I haven't seen such flawless acting in a long time, so there are no slips, and overall it's very enjoyable to watch. The Danes have their crime thrillers down to a tee. ()
it starts quite protracted and weird in a typically European fashion when it comes to the behaviour of the characters, by the end, however, it’s tense as hell. And on top of that, it has one of the most atmospheric hospitals in cinema history. Way above-par, no doubt. ()
Well, the film compensates the genre's stupidity and simplicity through self-conscious irony and eye-catching commentary on the conformity of the schemes. However, the long tempo cannot compensate for the few solidly constructed horror scenes. The whole thing is terribly awkward - the acting and the staging, and outside the morgue it lacks atmosphere. I attribute the fact that I didn't recognize the killer when he appeared in the shot more so to the night lobotomy than to the cleverness of Bornedal. Partial things amused me in the film, but the whole is dead and smells of disinfectant. ()
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