Midnight Kiss

Midnight Kiss is an electrifying cocktail of friendship, drama, and horror released in 2019, starring Scott Evans, Adam Faison, and Lukas Gage. The film is an auspicious addition to the anthology series "Into the Dark” on Hulu, specializing in holiday-themed horror movies. The movie skillfully integrates elements of suspense and horror into the vibrant world of modern LGBTQ representation. A drizzle of dark humor wraps itself around the narrative, turning the seemingly innocent and joyful group of friends into victims and suspects as their New Year’s Eve celebration suddenly transforms into a nerve-racking game of survival.

Directed by Carter Smith and written by Erlingur Thoroddsen, Midnight Kiss starts off with a tantalizing premise that centers around a tight-knit group of gay friends who annually celebrate New Year's Eve together with an amusing yet somewhat unusual tradition: the 'midnight kiss'. The 'midnight kiss' is an open invitation for any of them to find someone else at their party to lock lips with when the clock strikes twelve.

The role of Cameron is played by Scott Evans, a man who is feeling increasingly disconnected from the group and the yearly tradition. He shares this circle of friends with his ex-boyfriend Zachary, portrayed by Lukas Gage, and his new flame, Joel, acted by Chester Lockhart. Adding a delightful twist to the group dynamic are the friends Hanna, played by Ayden Mayeri, and her boyfriend, Edward, performed by Adam Faison. This tightly-knit circle’s cheerfulness and camaraderie are palpable, illuminating the screen with their remarkable bond.

But the joyous atmosphere soon turns into a chilling silence. As the group gathers for their usual NYE party in Palm Springs, a mysterious individual follows them into the desert. The characters, immersed in their experiences of friendship, love, and sexual attraction, suddenly find themselves in the viscid layer of darkness that has spread around them, slipping into a macabre web spun around their long-standing 'midnight kiss' tradition. The sense of claustrophobic dread and pulsing suspense persistently penetrates their outing, slowly peeling back layers of secrets and mounting paranoia among the characters.

Each character symbolizes a different perspective within the LGBTQ+ community, providing a nuanced portrayal of this world where friendship, sexuality, and the desire for love all collide. Their complex love-hate relationships, past frustrations, current obsessions, and hopes for the future reveal a group that has each other's backs, yet also carries unique baggage that feeds into the collective tension.

Midnight Kiss successfully strikes a balance between the horror genre and a passionate representation of queer dynamics that lies at its heart. While the horror elements of the story certainly make your hair stand on end, it's the film's honest, sometimes raw portrayal of intricate relationships within the LGBTQ+ community that truly sets it apart.

Carter Smith as the director does a remarkable job in creating a high-intensity psychological thriller that not only explores the tension between friends but also delivers genuine shockers. The writing by Erlingur Thoroddsen lucidly brings out the emotional threads between the characters and places them in the heart of suspense. The performances by Scott Evans, Adam Faison, Lukas Gage, and the rest of the cast are exceptional, each actor imbuing their characters with depth, nuance, and authentic emotion.

In addition, the movie's soundtrack significantly boosts the overall experience, adding an appropriate, effective layer of thrill and suspense. The score, composed by Ceiri Torjussen, deftly complements the storyline, heightening the tense atmosphere with eerie undertones.

In summary, Midnight Kiss offers viewers an intense ride through the roller coaster of lasting friendships, old wounds, romantic entanglements, and the eeriness of an unexpected threat. This film is an engaging fusion of horror and drama, peppered with elements of romance and a sprinkling of dark comedy. Be prepared for a memorable journey into The Dark, where an ordinary New Year's Eve party transgresses into a game of survival that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end. Even if you're not typically a fan of horror, it's the complexities and dynamics of the friendships and romantic relationships in Midnight Kiss that will hold your interest and make for a fully immersive viewing experience.