The Midnight Man (2016 horror film)
The Midnight Man is a 2016 horror film directed by Travis Zariwny and starring Gabrielle Haugh, Lin Shaye and Grayson Gabriel.
Cast
- Gabrielle Haugh as Alex Luster
- Lin Shaye as Anna Luster
- Grayson Gabriel as Miles
- Robert Englund as Dr Harding
- Emily Haine as Kelly
- Kyle Strauts as The Midnight Man
- Louise Linton as Annie Luster
Plot
In 1953 three children are seen playing a "game" beginning at midnight and ending and 3:33hrs. Their game seems to be in fact a horrible waking nightmare in which they must avoid being captured by The Midnight Man (Strauts) who feeds on their fears and ultimately kills them. By the end of the game only one player, a girl named Anna, remains alive.
The plot then jumps to 2016 and Anna (Shaye), is a grandmother who has been diagnosed with a dementia related illness and still lives in the property the game took place. She is cared for by her teenage granddaughter Alex (Haugh). One evening, Alex's close friend Miles (Gabriel) comes over and the two discover the game. Along with another friend Kelly (Haine) and the kindly Dr Harding (Englund), they must try and survive The Midnight Man until 3:33hrs arrives.
Kelly is killed while Alex and Miles goes searching for another candle.
The grandfather clock strikes 3.30 a.m. as the Midnight Man faces Alex and Miles who are still protected by the circle of salt. Alex tells the Midnight Man that he has lost and he disappears. Alex and Miles then leave the circle. While Alex picks up the remnants of the game, Miles checks on Dr Harding's body and notices the time on his watch shows 3.27 a.m. He then realises that the Midnight Man has tricked them. The Midnight Man appears and kills Miles and then tells Alex she has lost the game.
The scene reopens with a boy and his father at the house. The boy notices a box on the table and asks his father if he can take it. His father allows his to do so and they leave. The boy can be heard saying that he hopes it's a game.
Production
Running at 95 minutes, the film received its world premier in Canada on 30 September 2016, but was not released in most markets until 2018. It is a re-make of a 2013 film of the same name. On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 33% "rotten" rating based on 6 reviews, with audiences liking it a little more.