The Long Night *½ (out of 5) (R) Scout Taylor-Compton is engaged to a rich city lad (Nolan Gerard Funk), and on the threshold of a much larger life than she could have imagined growing up in a deep-south orphanage. She’s long been trying to learn who her birth parents were. As the film opens she gets her first solid lead, requiring the couple to drive to the investigator’s isolated house in the boonies. What could possibly go wrong?
Upon arrival, their host is missing, but he’d left the key for them with permission to settle in. A few things start to feel a bit hinky, including the intrusion of a couple of large snakes. But once the sun sets, the real mayhem starts to kick in. They are soon surrounded by silent folks wearing black robes and cattle skulls denoting some kind of cult. At least one seems to have supernatural powers, including the ability to block all means of communication and escape.
Most of the early going proceeds slowly, creating an eerie atmosphere that bodes ill for our young protagonists. Reliable character actor Jeff Fahey shows up to add another level to the mystery. Without divulging who does what to whom in which gory manner, I’ll just say that the couple scrambles frantically for survival for about an hour before anyone starts to learn what’s behind all of this. If taken seriously, orphans will think long and hard before searching for their roots. Horror fans already know to be wary of nights in dwellings in woods far from other humans, but none were around to give these two a heads-up.
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Genre fans should be satisfied with the visceral component of maimings and killings. Some may find the prolonged escalation phase allows too much time to think about inconsistencies and other plot flaws along the way to The Reveal. Taylor-Compton does well as the prototypical endangered heroine of such tales. Her fans should be pleased with how she handles this gig. The other cast members with speaking parts adhere to the tropes for their roles. The net result is a so-so bloody horror flick that’s OK if you’re in the mood for one, but won’t stand out from those you’ve seen before.
(In theaters and on digital 2/4/22)