The Vast of Night

The Vast of Night is a 2019 American indie film that elegantly mixes elements of mystery and science fiction in a captivating and stylistic cinematic experience. Directed with considerable flair by newcomer Andrew Patterson and tastefully underfunded by Adam Dietrich, Melissa Kirkendall and James Montague. The film stars a talented duo of young actors, Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz, with a supportive role from Gail Cronauer. The film showcases a refreshing spin on a classic genre, bringing the charm of 1950s science fiction into the modern era.

The film is set in the idyllic yet nondescript small town of Cayuga, New Mexico, mirroring a bygone period during the mid-twentieth century. The narrative is primarily focused on two central characters, Fay Crocker (Sierra McCormick) and Everett Sloan (Jake Horowitz), a switchboard operator and a radio DJ, respectively. They are both young, precocious, and ambitious, serving as the perfect conduits to connect the town with emerging technologies of that era – the telephone and radio.

The film takes place over a single night, beginning as the townsfolk gather for a high school basketball game. In the meantime, Everett and Fay discover a bizarre audio frequency permeating the airwaves. This leads to an investigation that gradually starts enveloping their small town in a shroud of mystery and intrigue. It becomes a race against time as they strive to uncover the truth about the strange anomaly.

What follows is a nuanced, slow-burning exploration of obsession, curiosity, and old-world paranoia. The movie is laced with atmospheric tension, complemented wonderfully by endless tracking shots and a nostalgia-inducing color palette. You can almost feel the chill in the air and the rustle of the leaves as you follow Everett and Fay around the quaint streets of their town.

Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz bring a vibrant dynamic to Everett and Fay's relationship. Their shared obsession becomes the driving force of the film, turning it into a deeply engaging, character-focused mystery. McCormick successfully portrays Fay with earnest innocence and a searing determination, capturing the audience’s empathy. Simultaneously, Horowitz skillfully embodies the hip nonchalance of Everett while also conveying the undercurrent of boy-next-door charm.

The screenplay by James Montague and Craig W. Sanger can be considered a notable feature of The Vast of Night. It brilliantly marries the layers of suspense with detailed references to radio and telephone technology, enabling viewers to delve into the era. The film's story pays homage to 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits', projecting a similar aura of eerie science fiction that dominated the mid-century pop culture.

Moreover, the film's aesthetic design convincingly captures the 1950s milieu. The antiquated feel of the film, incorporated through the aged costumes, period-sensitive props, and a grainy film aesthetic, interplays beautifully with the narrative's suspenseful progression.

Another spectacle to observe is the film's sound design. The Vast of Night uses the simple yet chillingly effective tactic of placing emphasis on the sounds of the unseen. There is an interesting play between the sounds of the town, the strange frequency, and the voices on the telephone and radio, instilling a sense of unease and intimacy simultaneously.

Director Andrew Patterson exhibits commendable talent in his debut feature. The sweeping tracking shots, the claustrophobic interiors, and the strategic usage of vintage radio and television sequences all come together to create a mysteriously introspective narrative that demands attention. The pacing of the film is deliberately slow, allowing a sense of dread to steadily build in the backdrop of the otherwise serene town, which makes the climax all the more gripping.

In conclusion, The Vast of Night is a film for those who find pleasure in engaging with an immersive, atmospheric narrative, while enjoying a skillful blend of character study and mystery. It stands as a testament to the power of indie cinema, achieving a sophisticated level of suspense and storytelling, and reviving the timeless appeal of mid-century science fiction. The film is not merely a work of art, but a spine-tingling reminder of the vastness of the unknown. While it is set in the past, its charm and intrigue are timeless, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they traverse the unfolding mystery in The Vast of Night.