Night Always Comes is a gripping thriller that pulls you into the harrowing world of Lynette, a woman trapped in a desperate financial situation, portrayed brilliantly by Vanessa Kirby. Directed by Benjamin Caron, this tense, one-night adventure unfolds like a slow-burning nightmare, balancing emotional depth and raw suspense.

Plot Overview

Set against the backdrop of Lynette's fight to save her home from eviction, the movie takes place over a single night, capturing her desperate attempt to escape her mounting debts and secure a future for her family. From trying to steal a safe full of cash to navigating dangerous encounters with criminals, Lynette's night becomes a series of progressively chaotic and increasingly bizarre events. It’s a gritty portrayal of a woman who refuses to be a victim, even when her options are rapidly running out.

Vanessa Kirby’s Performance

Vanessa Kirby is absolutely mesmerizing in this role, bringing a palpable intensity to Lynette's emotional and physical struggles. She excels in playing a character who doesn’t fall into the typical “damsel in distress” trope. Instead, Kirby portrays Lynette as resourceful, intelligent, and above all, incredibly determined. She navigates each crisis with a fierce, unflinching resolve, even when the stakes keep escalating.

Her performance isn’t about grand displays of emotion, but rather about subtle resilience. It’s clear from the start that Kirby inhabits Lynette completely—there's no boundary between the actress and her character. Whether it’s her strained interactions with old flames or her shocking, morally ambiguous actions (like stealing a client’s car after a sexual encounter), Kirby keeps the character grounded in vulnerability, even as she treads deeper into darker waters.

The Writing & Direction

Written by Sarah Conradt, the screenplay cleverly charts Lynette’s descent into a dangerous, chaotic world. While the story starts on solid ground, there are moments where it veers into the unbelievable—such as Lynette’s unplanned alliance with a safecracker or her sudden plunge into a criminal scheme. At times, the plot can feel a little too far-fetched, but the director’s steady hand prevents it from derailing entirely.

Director Benjamin Caron makes the most of the dark, noir-ish tone of the movie, drawing you in with the claustrophobic tension of Lynette’s experience. The one-night format—reminiscent of Sudhir Mishra's Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin—works well in establishing a sense of relentless urgency. The cinematography by Damián García enhances the film’s grim atmosphere, keeping the camera focused on the gritty realities of Lynette’s world, often delving into emotional territories she’s trying to avoid.

The World of Lynette

Lynette’s world is full of dangerous liaisons and crumbling relationships. Stephan James plays Cody, a felon she befriends, while Michael Kelly portrays Tommy, an old, exploitative flame. Their presence only deepens Lynette’s troubles, highlighting her internal conflict between her survival instincts and moral compass.

In one of the film’s standout moments, Lynette steals a car from a client, Scott, played by Randall Park, after a sex transaction. It’s a stunningly sharp moment that showcases Lynette's resourcefulness, but it also underscores the betrayal she faces at every turn—no one or nothing is truly reliable in her world.

Themes of Desperation and Survival

At its core, Night Always Comes is a study of desperation, but it doesn’t indulge in misery for the sake of spectacle. The film’s darker moments, particularly when Lynette makes morally questionable decisions, reveal the depth of her desperation—she is willing to sacrifice her own ethical boundaries for the chance of survival.

It’s tough to categorize Night Always Comes as purely “entertainment.” The film can be seen as a guilty pleasure, as you’re forced to watch Lynette endure one horrendous setback after another. But the film also manages to capture a raw, unfiltered look at survival in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Verdict

While the movie might be a bit too bleak for some, it is undeniably riveting. The real gem here is Vanessa Kirby—she brings a vibrancy and authenticity to Lynette that makes the film worth watching. With her delicate balance of toughness and vulnerability, Kirby has once again proven herself as one of the most captivating actresses of her generation.

If you're a fan of dark thrillers that dig into human grit and survival instincts, Night Always Comes is a must-watch, offering a chilling yet captivating ride through the night of one woman’s desperate attempts to outsmart her fate.