“Dead of Night” follows a determined sheriff, his daughter and a desperate mayor who race to uncover the truth behind a series of killings before their town descends into chaos.
Director Derek Sulek begins the film with a dose of brutality that’s similar to the cold open of “Scream.” While this doesn’t contain the same iconic dialogue exchange, it does feature a murder scene that sends ripples through a town — just like in Wes Craven’s 1996 franchise-starter. “Dead of Night” then focuses on an ensemble of characters: the local sheriff, the town mayor and a group of high schoolers. Their attempts to solve the mystery turn the movie into a classic whodunnit.
Unfortunately, however, it delivers a barrage of killings without putting much thought into the in-between. Sulek and Eric Durham’s screenplay certainly pays homage to countless horror movies. There’s the cold open that’s reminiscent of “Scream.” There’s the political core that’s akin to “Founders Day.” There’s a town “mob mentality” that’s similar to “Halloween Kills.” And, of course, there’s a masked killer at the center, just like in virtually every slasher. Because there isn’t any one aspect that’s distinguishable from other genre entries, the film ends up feeling very “cookie-cutter.”
It’s this split focus that makes it messy at times. Kirrilee Berger (Kelly Weaver), Dermot Mulroney (Sheriff Weaver) and Alex Camacho (Mayor Mitchell) are the main characters — but there’s also not much to buy into. Because “Dead of Night” meanders between the killings, the individuals don’t become anything more than caricatures.
Berger’s presence becomes more prominent as the 107-minute runtime progresses. She delivers lines of logical dialogue while also effectively expressing emotion in key moments. Mulroney doesn’t venture far from his many other performances, remaining understated rather than flashy. Camacho has the least screentime of the three leads. She is purposefully equivocating, being both sensitive and conniving to never let viewers know her character’s true intentions. Also appearing are Scott Grimes (David Harris), Jake Busey (Craig Williams), Julianne Arrieta (Christine Weaver), Zach Justice (Donnie Harris) and Miles Anderson (Richard Mitchell).
Still, there is plenty of bloodshed in “Dead of Night.” Audiences have come to expect more gore and more savagery in modern slashers. While this doesn’t reach the level of the “Terrifier” series, it does match the fierceness of “Scream VI,” which coincidentally also features Mulroney. Most of the violence is achieved through practical effects, with the sound design combining to create many visceral moments. It’s also worth noting that the environments are typically well-utilized. Whether it’s a broken Coke bottle or a stanchion, the weaponry is versatile rather than being one-note.
The camerawork transitions from “glossy” to handheld. As characters discuss the events, director of photography Chad Narducci executes smooth and slow camera movements. As events actually unfold, the movements become much more sporadic. Greg Nicolett’s score has a comparable effect, remaining largely quiet until tense musical cues appear during the killings.
The killer reveal can make or break a slasher. This isn’t entirely the case for “Dead of Night,” however. The final act explodes into pure chaos, becoming much larger in scale than traditional entries. The unmasking is the most logical result… and also the most predictable. But it’s what comes afterward that actually makes the conclusion entertaining.
“Dead of Night” makes up for an unremarkable script with remarkable kills. It’s a slasher that knows its audience, putting the focus on bloody violence over a compelling story.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
