Notable Cast: Jermaine Fowler, Justin Long, RJ Cyler,
Nicki Micheaux, Freddie Gibbs, Phil Brooks, Dermot Mulroney, YG, Flying Lotus
Watching Night Patrol made me realize something. Boy,
do I really miss Tales from the Crypt. Not just the show, but there was
a time in the 90s when the HBO horror series made the leap to the silver screen
for a couple of films. (Do we count that third Tales from the Crypt
movie, Ritual, that no one saw?) Watching the strange concoction that is
Night Patrol gave me the vibes of when I saw Demon Knight some
decades ago. The offbeat humor, the bold swings in lore-building, the use of
fantastic character actors, and the ambitiously deranged social commentary just
give off big Tales from the Crypt vibes. And, quite frankly, I am 100%
here for it.
Night Patrol is the kind of independent horror that
ought to find a very dedicated audience with time. Not only does it encapsulate
the era of its release, particularly in how it portrays police violence and a
distinct arm of the law that seemingly operates with no limitations, but it
also does so by creating its own world that runs parallel to our own. Ryan
Prows’ second feature-length effort is so oddly satisfying in the threading of
its tones and themes that it immediately cements itself as a cult classic -
brutally punchy in its efforts, but so incredibly watchable nonetheless.
It should be a day for celebration. Ex-military soldier
turned police officer, Ethan - played against type by a shockingly game Justin
Long, has just made the cut. He’s made it to an elite anti-gang task force
called Night Patrol. Yet, his partner Xavier (Fowler) seems skeptical of
it. So when sections of both the Crips and the Bloods team up to fight back
against the Night Patrol, Xavier, Ethan, and Xavier’s brother Wazi
(Cyler) will have to uncover the secrets of this seemingly powerful task force
that operates without restraint.
If you’ve watched the trailer attached to this review or
even read the synopsis above, you’re probably guessing that Night Patrol
is working with the nuance of a sledgehammer. You’d be right. Whether the
nature of its villainous police force, complete with “iron fangs” to help them
drain the blood of their victims, or how the main family of characters of the
film must unveil their historical roots in Zulu to face off against their
vampiric foes, this is not a film that’s aiming for subtlety. For this film,
it’s fitting. The humor that runs rampant through its veins, without featuring
a distinct character of comedic relief - unless you want to count Flying Lotus’
character, who is simply convinced that Night Patrol are actually lizard
people - allows those swings of its sledgehammer themes to not feel as obvious
and it makes for a film that hits its marks and uses its offbeat characters and
humor to pull it off. It’s a tonal balance that works here.
What Night Patrol does incredibly well, beyond its
tonal management, is world-building. Although there were times during the watch
when I felt this might have originally been intended as a TV series
(particularly in the structure of character introductions and exits), there is
a lot going on with the ensemble cast and how the world interacts with both the
protagonists and the antagonists. While the film centers on familial themes and
how the next generation must either follow in the family's footsteps or strike
out on their own, there’s an intertwining between the “real” world and the
world of Night Patrol, and the film has an intriguing push-and-pull
between the two. It’s often grounded in realism, but it will have characters
who intentionally push against those world rules. It can be jarring at times,
often times humorous, but it gives the film a propulsive tone that really works
to develop everything around the narrative. It’s slick, and Prows really knows
how to manage it.
On top of all of that, there’s plenty of great execution to go around to help sell the whole thing. While Jermaine Fowler and RJ Cyler carry so much of the emotional weight of the film as the brothers caught in an intriguing cross-cycle of familial ties and personal goals, there are so many fantastic secondary performances that get to play big in this world. Freddie Gibbs gets to pop as a gang leader, Dermot Mulroney adds big energy to the few sequences and voice-overs he has, and Justin Long gets to play a bit off type as an ex-military man with a conscience that goes against his role as a police officer and new recruit into the titular Night Patrol. The film is also slathered in a fun blend of practical effects and otherworldly CGI moments that feel out there just enough to match the tonal shifts. The atmosphere shudders throughout the film in waves, and it all ends on a fun note that leaves its audience hoping this thing turns into a franchise. Considering the film's lukewarm reception, that may not happen, but I admire the confidence nonetheless.
Blood Brothers was a site founded on the idea that there are
great films in all corners of cinema, and we often look to find the great cult
ones, and, for my money, Night Patrol is just that. This is the kind of
film that will find a die-hard fandom in a decade and one that will only grow
in appreciation as an overlooked gem. It’s a horror-humor hybrid that fills the
void since the end of Tales from the Crypt, and its stylish approach to
its narrative, characters, and execution make it one of those surprising finds.
Don’t sleep on this one, take a bite, and enjoy its flow.
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