The Night Watchmen

The Night Watchmen is a 2017 American horror comedy film directed by Mitchell Altieri and co-written by Ken Arnold, Dan De Luca, and Dan B. Butler. The movie pays homage to the classic genre of zombie films while adding its unique comedic spin, making it an enjoyable romp with laughter and suspenseful thrills.

In this film, three inept night watchmen, along with a trainee and a feisty young tabloid journalist, join forces in a fight for survival against a horde of hungry vampires. Despite the frightening premise, the film shifts traditional horror tropes by infusing humor and satire, delivering equal parts chills and chuckles for audiences of all ages.

The Night Watchmen's plot is driven by Ken Arnold, Dan De Luca, and Kevin Jiggetts, who play the hapless night watchmen. Arnold plays Jack, the oldest and most seasoned of the trio. His character takes on the role of the reluctant hero with just the right mix of fear and bravery. Meanwhile, De Luca plays Luca, a failed musician turned security guard, whose laid-back demeanor adds to the laughs and sporadic slapstick. Meanwhile, Jiggetts, as Marcus, a rugged and no-nonsense guy with a heart of gold, is the perfect foil for De Luca's carefree character.

Our unfortunate heroes become embroiled in a terrifying situation when a mistaken delivery of a casket unleashes a horde of blood-thirsty vampires within their office building. The startling course of events forces the gang, along with their new recruit, a rookie watchman played by Max Gray Wilbur, and a quick-thinking, fearless journalist—Karen, portrayed by Kara Luiz—to stave off the vampire infestation.

By crossing genres, The Night Watchmen adds a refreshing twist to the age-old tale of undead terror. The rule-breaking script, which challenges stereotypical notions of horror and comedy, offers a unique viewing experience by blending elements of suspense, dread, and humor.

One compelling aspect of The Night Watchmen is its inventive use of comedy within the context of a zombie outbreak. Far from being a straightforward, doom-and-gloom scenario, the movie lightens the atmosphere with clever banter and hilarious situations arising from the night watchmen's lack of combat skills. The humor in the film underscores a major theme—the unassuming nature of true heroism—hinting at how even the most unqualified individuals can step up to a challenge under extraordinary circumstances.

In addition to the horror and comedy, The Night Watchmen fully embraces the absurdity of its premise, making it a fitting tribute to the horror-comedy genre. The movie breathes new life into the genre's clichés, subverting expectations, and allowing the unexpected unfolding of events to create unanticipated laughs and shocks.

Visually, thanks to the superb cinematography, the audience is taken on an atmospheric journey throughout the movie. By capturing the eerie light and shadow plays of the chilling office building, the film sustains a sense of unease and suspense while the occasional bright colors and exaggerated expressions add to the film's comedic timing.

Moreover, the soundtrack enhances both the chilling and hilarious moments. The music—an eclectic mixture of dramatic scoring, and high-energy, fast-paced rock ‘n’ roll numbers—adds another layer to the viewing experience, whether it be in amplifying the scares or complementing the slapstick comedic scenes.

All these elements coalesce to create an experience that's engaging, thrilling, and fun. Even though The Night Watchmen is no doubt a horror movie, it doesn't shy away from exploiting all the comedic opportunities. The film successfully merges the two seemingly disparate genres without losing any of their strengths. To horror newcomers and aficionados alike, The Night Watchmen will show you how terrifying a night shift can be when done in a way that's as humorously unique as this.