The Vast of Night

Starring: Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz, Gail Cronauer, Bruce Davis,

Director: Andrew Patterson

In the small town of Cayuga, New Mexico, inquisitive high schooler Fay Crocker (Sierra McCormick) and radio personality Everett (Jake Horowitz) are about to have their lives changed forever. As the town crowds the gym for the start of basketball season, Fay settles in to work at her job as the town's switchboard operator. As she listens to Everett's show, it is interrupted by a mysterious sound, which she also hears over the switchboard. Confusing her more, she receives a call from a woman claiming an object is hovering in the sky over her land. After Everett plays the sound on his show asking for people to call in if they have any information, Fay gets a call from a man named Billy (Bruce Davis) who shares a mysterious story about his time in the military, involving a potential government coverup. As more and more calls pour in about an object in the sky, Fay and Everett find themselves on a journey to solve the mystery. One thing is for sure: their small town lives will never be the same

Before its release on Amazon Prime this weekend, this has been playing at drive-in theaters for the past couple weeks and I can't think of a more perfect way to watch this film. This feels like a lost episode of The Twilight Zone, given its own version here called "Paradox Theater". I am in if they want to make more episodes.

The cinematography is stunning in this film, at times putting studio films to shame. Director Andrew Patterson and Cinematographer Miguel Ioann Littin Menz have not only created a rich atmosphere, but the film features several impressive long takes. While many will be talking about the one that whizzes through the town (and they should), equally as great is the nearly nine minute take of Fay calling, trying to figure out what is going on when she first hears the mysterious sound.

The screenplay, by James Montague and Craig W. Sanger, takes its time setting the scene and has fun with its 1950's and dated technology. This ultimately plays in its favor because by the time things start getting weird, we already understand and know the characters. The phone call with Billy is haunting and I appreciated that the movie didn't resort to flashbacks. Keeping the story grounded in the present and set during one night keeps the tension running high. And while it didn't necessarily bother me, those looking for answers may be bothered by a lack of them.

This should be a star making turn for Sierra McCormick. She and her costar Jake Horowitz have fantastic chemistry with her infectious energy driving the story forward. While there are other bit parts, the story wisely keeps the story lensed through their eyes.

This is one of the most impressive debuts I've seen in a while.

Grade: A

The Vast of Night is available on Amazon Prime.