The Night (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Night is a 2021 mystery thriller directed by Kourosh Ahari, starring Shahab Hosseini, George Maguire and Kathreen Khavari. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $97,500 worldwide. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Kourosh Ahari
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- IFC Midnight
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Night About?
The premise of The Night without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A couple’s relaxing getaway to the Hotel Normandie quickly devolves into a terrifying fight for survival. As night falls, unsettling and inexplicable events occur, forcing Babak and Neda to confront hidden truths about themselves and their relationship. They find themselves trapped in a horrifying ordeal, battling a sinister force that threatens to consume them both.
The Night Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- suicide
- deal with the devil
- female protagonist
- widow
- young widow
- husband keeps a secret from his wife
- near death experience
- depression
- bookstore
- occult
- walking in the woods
- grieving widow
+38 more Show fewer
- depressed woman
- death of husband
- suicide note
- secretly photographed
- mystery from beyond the grave
- cheating death
- murder
- human sacrifice
- waking up from a nightmare
- grief
- suicide of husband
- forest
- boat
- teacher
- dream
- cheating husband
- invisible stalker
- nightmare sequence
- message from beyond the grave
- mirror universe
- invisible person
- voodoo doll
- doppelganger
- the devil
- suicide by shooting oneself
- darkness
- seeing oneself in a dream
- disembodied voice
- excessive drinking
- belief in ghosts
- doppelganger killed
- lake house
- waterfront house
- walking alone in the woods
- high school teacher
- schoolteacher
- husband wife relationship
- nighttime
The Night Cast
Shahab Hosseini leads the cast, with George Maguire and Kathreen Khavari. Directed by Kourosh Ahari; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kourosh Ahari
More from Kourosh Ahari
More films directed by Kourosh Ahari, best-rated first: Parallel and The Night.
The Night Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Night 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in rewatch factor (85) and weakest in sensory experience (65).
The Night Echo Score Breakdown
The Night delivers a spirited, comedy-driven holiday experience anchored by its lively performances, though its visual and narrative execution can feel uneven at times. Critics and audiences alike praise the chemistry among the leads and the blend of raunchy humor with genuine warmth. Some note a disjointed second act and formulaic beats, yet engaging gags keep momentum. Overall, the film’s energetic tone and themes of enduring friendship leave a positive impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits an uneven directorial approach and modest production design. While editing contributes to swift comedic beats, occasional erratic pacing undermines visual cohesion. The cinematography supports the nocturnal party setting but lacks distinctive flair. Net effect: serviceable technical execution that complements the comedy but rarely elevates it.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from strong ensemble chemistry and engaging performances. The dynamic between the leads blends the straight man’s grounded presence with the co-star’s improvisational flair. Occasional reliance on clichés limits depth, yet genuine moments of camaraderie and warmth resonate. Net effect: compelling interpersonal chemistry that drives emotional connection.
- Story & Flow 70
Regarding story and flow, the narrative offers a satisfying arc of friendship against holiday conventions but falters in the middle act. Early pacing feels slow and certain subplots register as predictable, though the climax reinforces the central theme of loyalty. Humorous set pieces maintain engagement despite formulaic elements. Net effect: mostly engaging structure tempered by uneven rhythm.
- Sensory Experience 65
In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design deliver solid support for comedic sequences without drawing attention. Visual style stays consistent with the nocturnal party atmosphere, relying on practical lighting rather than stylized imagery. Scenic choices fit the urban setting but rarely stand out. Net effect: adequate audio-visual elements that reinforce tone without notable innovation.
- Rewatch Factor 85
As for rewatch factor, the film’s blend of recurring jokes and heartfelt moments has cultivated a loyal following. Viewers frequently report new discoveries upon repeat viewings, and its holiday framing encourages annual revisits. While some story beats remain predictable, the strong cast chemistry and memorable comedic set pieces sustain appeal. Net effect: high replay value for adult comedy fans.
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IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 68% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.2 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Night Plot Summary
What happens in The Night from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Beth’s life takes a tragic turn when she loses her husband, Owen, to suicide. On a fateful day, he takes a boat from their lake house and ends his life with a gun that Beth was unaware he possessed. Overwhelmed by grief, Beth finds herself drowning in sorrow and isolation, spending her nights drinking while sifting through the remnants of Owen’s life. Despite her heartache, she tries to maintain a façade of normalcy by continuing her role as a teacher, much to the worry of her friend Claire and their neighbor, Mel.
Full summary
The whole story of The Night, scene by scene
The Night Box Office
The Night grossed $97,500 worldwide. $26,114 came from the US and Canada and $71,386 (73%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$97.5K
- US & Canada
- $26.1K
- International
- $71.4K
How Well Do You Know The Night?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What event prompts Beth's emotional turmoil at the beginning of the movie?
Seen The Night?
Movies Like The Night
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Night House, Nightkill and The Night of the Hunted.
The Night FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Night, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Night?
The Night runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was The Night released?
The Night was released on January 29, 2021.
Who directed The Night?
The Night was directed by Kourosh Ahari.
More films by Kourosh Ahari Who is in the cast of The Night?
The Night stars Shahab Hosseini, George Maguire and Kathreen Khavari, among 20 credited actors.
How much did The Night make at the box office?
The Night grossed $97,500 worldwide ($26,114 domestic, $71,386 international).
How is The Night rated?
The Night has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does The Night have a post-credit scene?
No. The Night has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Night in?
The original language of The Night is French.
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