Joining his Shudder titles, Z, Superhost, and The Puppetman, filmmaker Brandon Christensen reteams with his co-writer brother Ryan Christensen for a new horror project. Night of the Reaper situates itself in a small-town conflict inspired by babysitter films and whodunit slashers of the late 20th century onward. Its influences are quite clear to identify, while others are a bit subtler. Although the overall narrative focuses on a masked serial killer, the Christensens attempt to offer nuance and navigate through tropes in an otherwise monotonous subgenre film.
Night of the Reaper is written by Ryan and Brandon Christensen and is directed by Brandon Christensen.
In this review, I will discuss Night of the Reaper. As this article’s title suggests, no spoilers will be present.
Shudder’s Night of the Reaper Synopsis
According to Shudder, here is the official synopsis for Brandon and Ryan Christensen’s horror-thriller film, Night of the Reaper.
In the heart of a quiet, 1980s suburb, college student Deena returns home and reluctantly takes on a last-minute babysitting job. That same night, the local sheriff receives a cryptic package that pulls him into a sinister scavenger hunt that sets off a game of cat and mouse with a dangerous killer. As the clues unravel, Deena finds herself ensnared in a nightmarish mystery that she may not survive.
Shudder
Discussion
Peeping Tom, Halloween, When A Stranger Calls, the Scream franchise, and Saw are just a handful of horror films that come to mind when watching the Christensens’ Night of the Reaper, next to its references to Robocop and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2. Yet, for its place in time, the Shudder title is intriguing in what story it tries to tell. The video home system (VHS) perspectives in some scenes, as well as the soundtrack and hairstyling, return viewers to the 1980s. Arguably, these elements aren’t nostalgia bait. They make the viewing experience fine, juxtaposed with other films and television programs that do lean into the nostalgia of it all. Night of the Reaper is more concerned with upholding stylistic filmmaking in a film that uncovers the ongoing investigation of the titular Reaper’s (David Feehan) murder spree.
Craft of the Reaper
Cinematographer Clayton Moore’s camera work is decent, opening the film on a gloomy night sky, tilting down to pan over to a suburban home. Moore frames the necessary aspects, while Brandon Christensen cuts and assembles the footage as Night of the Reaper‘s video editor. I enjoy “The Camper” VHS tape, which briefly follows a victim falling sideways to the ground. Meanwhile, “The Babysitter” tape briefly showcases a thrilling perspective. Yet, the third tape is most heart-racing, namely in Christensen’s use of editing, visual effects, and color. Beyond these tapes, Moore’s camera does a sufficiently smart job at blending falsities within reality.
Additionally, the production designer team primarily has monotonous set pieces. Yet, some here and there impress as visually appealing. A darkroom in one character’s apartment pops out in bloody red. Moreover, the town’s Sheriff’s department is compartmentalized well, from an interrogation room to an evidence/viewing room to the desk station and more. Sheriff Rodney “Rod” Arnold’s (Ryan Robbins) home is a neat architectural design, with its vast backyard and maze-like interiors. Protagonist Deena (Jessica Clement) and the Reaper each move about suspensefully in the final act, such as in Deena’s emergency call to the police. The Shudder film has an atmosphere that understands how to maintain its serious mood.
Music composers Michelle Osis, Terry Benn, and David Arcus’s score is solid, especially considering the time setting. Pat Benatar and Blue Öyster Cult stick out the most, alongside the Goosebumps-like introductory credits sequence. The unsettling horror theme that plays within the body of the narrative seems to call back to John Carpenter’s Halloween. The soundtrack doesn’t impede the rest of the film and functions like a palatable appetizer.
The Build-Up to a Final Act
Night of the Reaper‘s final act is bittersweet. I believe this is the result of the opening and middle acts ushering in elements that allow it to be predictable very early on. Deena’s last-minute gig as a babysitter is handy in this context, and the puzzle pieces fare well in her favor. However, some of the characters’ lines spoil a reveal way too early. The Christensens’ narration is also clichéd. I occasionally feel irked at characters walking away from a home and leaving room for others to sneak in through a door.
Conversely, the characterizations are reasonably done. I can’t say that I care for any of the supporting figures. Still, they all do play surprising roles as if in a game of chess. The teenage archetypes feel reminiscent of the Scream films, but also the first two seasons of the MTV television series. There’s something special about having that mind, how the dynamics between characters work out. Emily Golding (Summer H. Howell) wants to do some good, Chad Bolton (Ben Cockell) is troublesome, Willis Hanover (Bryn Samuel) is the high school jock, Haddie Hall (Savannah Miller) is the party girl, etc. In this regard, the minimal character count benefits the narrative due to the development that occurs on- and off-screen.
The parallels between Deena and one of the antagonist’s victims are clever, down to how they’re manipulated within the Reaper’s game of chess and how they drop down onto living room couches. When it comes to the final act, I believe there could have been a stronger means of reaching the climax and the resolution. It’s not worth admonishing the storytellers, but key details could have been tweaked a bit.
The Crew Behind Night of the Reaper
Clayton Moore serves as the cinematographer. Corey Bond serves as the gaffer.
Spencer Estabrooks serves as the stills photographer.
Brandon Christensen also works on the film’s editing, visual effects, and color.
Michelle Osis, Terry Benn, and David Arcus score the music. Natasha Duprey (Tucker and Dale vs Evil, Longlegs, Heretic, The Monkey) serves as the music supervisor.
Iain Pattison and Frank Laratta serve as the sound effects editors.
Coco Kleppinger serves as the casting director. Jayson Therrien is the Alberta casting director.
Ron Webber serves as the stunt coordinator.
Lindsey Dietz serves as Connor Tracy’s stunt double, while Matty Clarke serves as Cockell’s stunt double.
Mike Kasper, Kim Lennox, Andrew Plews, and Benny Warren comprise the production designer team.
Mya Butler, Tyler Dryden, Taylor Nodrick, Seth Rasporich, and Chris Schuler serve as the daily set decorators.
Tracey Graham serves as the costume designer. Heather Lietz-Salomons is the assistant costume designer.
Sharon Toohey serves as the makeup department head.
Meagon Jaxon serves as the hair department head.
Dave Trainor serves as the special effects makeup artist.
The Cast of Night of the Reaper
Jessica Clement (Dream Scenario, Gen V) portrays Deena, the film’s protagonist.
Ryan Robbins plays Sheriff Rodney “Rod” Arnold.
Summer H. Howell (Curse of Chucky, Cult of Chucky, Channel Zero Season 2, Time Cut) plays Emily Golding, one of the Reaper’s victims.
Keegan Connor Tracy (Final Destination 2, Bates Motel) portrays Elizabeth Talbot.
Matty Finochio (Freaks, Woman of the Hour) portrays Officer Butch Cassidy.
Max Christensen plays Max Arnold, Sheriff Arnold’s son.
Ben Cockell plays Chad Bolton, one of Deena’s high school peers.
David Feehan portrays The Reaper.
Bryn Samuel plays Willis Hanover, a jock from Deena’s high school. Savannah Miller portrays Haddie, one of Deena’s close friends.
Susan Serrao and Lonni Olson appear as Sheila and Walt, a grieving mother and father, respectively.
Huxley Fisher and Isla Spencer play Mark and Marina Gray, respective siblings whom Emily Golding babysits.
Sofie Kane plays Dottie, a young woman working at the Sheriff’s department.
Blair Young appears as Dr. Hall, a pharmacist and Haddie’s father.
Jocelyn Chugg portrays Abigail “Abby” Arnold, the Sheriff’s late wife. Drake Seipert plays Connor Davis, one of the Reaper’s victims.
Performances and Character Developments
Clement’s Deena is an awesome final girl archetype who knows more than she is letting on. The character is observant, attentive, pretty much brilliant, and puts up a great fight. The Shudder film’s former half is evidence of this, and the final product wouldn’t be as delightful without her. Deena knows how to play a good game, but it might be because of Clement’s various scene partners. The actor is an inviting presence for the viewers in how she can tap into a few different emotions.
Robbins portrays the role of Sheriff Arnold fairly. Similar to Deena, viewers learn more about him as time progresses. When he produces tears by the end of the middle act, it comes from a realization of the truth, whereas Deena’s tears are a different bottled-up pathos. The actor’s performance is fine, and his character is a satisfactory foil to Clement’s character in their specific motives.
Final Thoughts on Night of the Reaper
Night of the Reaper‘s overall execution is a shocker in its potential to be flat-out entertaining. Despite the dim supporting characterizations, it’s a horror film about who has truly gained the upper hand and who is nothing more than a pawn in a larger game. With that said, I appreciate the roles that state policewoman Elizabeth Talbot (Keegan Connor Tracy) and Sheriff deputy Butch Cassidy (Matty Finochio) play in a narrative that balances wrath and justice. This is surely a spooky season film without really shoving the idea of it being one in viewers’ faces. With time, I hope it gets the love it deserves, and I would not mind the idea of the Reaper as a local boogeyman to further extend the lore of the story.
3.5/5 stars
Brandon and Ryan Christensen’s Night of the Reaper is now streaming via Shudder!
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