Against the Night is a 2017 American horror thriller film co-produced, written and directed by Brian Cavallaro. Mike Mendez (director of Don’t Kill It; Lavalantula; Big Ass Spider!) co-produced. It was retitled Amityville Prison
The movie stars Hannah Kleeman, Tim Torre and Frank Whaley.
Plot:
Following a party, nine emboldened friends sneak into an abandoned prison to film a ghost hunting video.
When their friend, Hank (Luke Persiani), disappears, everyone is pointing fingers and places blame until they realise they may not be alone…
Reviews [may contain spoilers]:
“Overall, Against the Night was a very hard film to sit through but eventually, it goes places in the third act that aren’t a complete waste of time. Too bad by this point in the movie, the only characters left alive are the most forgettable ones.” Arrow in the Head
“Cavallaro has moments of brilliance in the film that are undercut by strange choices. I’m not sure if these choices were made as critical notes or what was seen as a necessity. Either way, there are a few jarring moments that viewers should stick out because the overall experience of watching the film is a positive one.” Following Films
“Despite having a suitable set for a cinematic spookshow, the filmmakers are stubbornly determined to show nearly none of it. When the screen isn’t completely dark or blurred in a flurry of whip pans and quick cuts, the camera is focused on bare concrete floors or green-tinted night vision nothingness.” Culture Crypt
“At first, the unknown agency is supernatural. Than its human, but Cavallaro inevitably starts dropping hints it is uncanny after all. This time around, the is-it-or-isn’t-it tango just tries our patience. However, what Against has going for it, it has in spades: a massively sinister real-life location and some hugely creepy set dressing.” J.B. Spins
“Cavallaro, who wrote and directed Against the Night does a fine job of stirring up the fear through the characters’ interactions. With the occasional jarring jolts and random scares amidst all the darkness, the filmmaker creates quite the frightful environment; one in which the greatest terror-seeking viewer amongst us could appreciate.” New Yorkled
” …the entire time we kept telling ourselves, “this movie is wayyyyyyy too predictable.” Well, guess what? Once the ending came around, it wasn’t very predictable at all and when we can’t predict an ending to a movie it makes us love it that much more! Go into this with an open mind and try look past the acting, we think you just may like it!” Reel Reviews Over Brews
“The editing is not tight, so too many scenes run unnecessarily long, and the set-ups are limited because of the low-light scenarios. It’s evident that Against the Night is a modest, low-budget affair, with distinctive ideas, intentions and twists in mind. Unfortunately, it falls flat.” Screen Anarchy
Main cast:
Frank Whaley … Detective Ramsey
Hannah Kleeman … Rachel
Tim Torre … Sean
Luke Persiani … Hank
Josh Cahn … Dan
Nicole Souza … Brooke
Amy Zenone … Suzy
Leah Holleran … Michelle
Erik Kochenberger … Nick
Yesenia Linares … Carrie
Andrew Cavallaro … Gas Mask Man
Martin Fusselman … Meth Head
Jason Gill … Meth Head
Dan Maniscalco … Meth Head
Robert Miller … Meth Head
Brandon E. Brooks … SWAT Team
Justin Glover … SWAT Team
Bill Parras … SWAT Team
Nick Pilotti … SWAT Team
Stefan Wilson … SWAT Team
Filming locations:
Holmesburg Prison – 8215 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Release:
Against the Night was released theatrically in the US by Gravitas Ventures in Los Angeles, New York and additional select markets on September 15, 2017.
