Beyond the Night

A small film with a small script and a small cast that takes place in/around a small town. It is, however, big - very big - on filler such as dragged-out silent scenes and woods wandering. Especially the latter in the dark. And without a compass! Viewed at Japan Cuts. WILLIAM FLANIGAN

I wanted to like this film. The premise of a marine with PTSD having served in Afghanistan, returning with his psychologically damaged son to the town in which he was raised seems interesting. We learn that the Ray's wife was killed in an accident involving their son Lawrence, so coming home seems to be a logical answer: go back to one's roots & find comfort. Lawrence is easily targeted as he has a birthmark covering most of his face, a giant strawberry mark, that one local genius tries to photograph. Protective dad Ray stops that, but it makes it seem like this is the ignorant act expected of a local yokel. This is just the beginning of more disturbing acts. Lawrence sits remarkably still and quiet throughout an inquest but when he's in a room with the pastor's mother he blurts out the name of a cheerleader who was killed some years back, identifying the woman as "Rain's nana". Instantly the pastor's mother accuses Ray of putting Lawrence up to this as some form of "incitement" (why he would do that is utterly mystifying), storms out, and has a complete mad on. Ray asks Lawrence why he said it, where he heard the name, etc, but gets no answers. Later, after speaking with his sheriff sister, a psychologist is suggested, and it appears that the dead girl, Rain, "lives" in Lawrence. Lawrence is allowed to run through the town & the high school Rain attended, correctly identifying various shops (the shops all have their names prominently displayed), but goes right to Rain's locker, tracing a heart that was drawn inside the locker. The psychologist explains that a pronounced birthmark has occurred in other cases of what she suggests is reincarnation. Soon, Rain's dad learns of this and immediately tries to throw himself into hugging "Rain", asking Lawrence if Rain is "in there". Lawrence is 5: what does he expect the kid to say? And Rain's dad is a beaut: a thug allied with other town thugs, gun-toting, shady-dealing head of this small town's mafia. Doesn't seem like the type to just leap at this far-fetched theory about Lawrence. Doesn't read right. Ray has gone to see the local pastor, Marty, to find out if he's passed on his demons to his son. Marty doesn't give him any definitive answer, prays, then we see the same heart on one of the desks that we've seem in Rain's locker. The over-the-top reaction of the Sheriff's boss, who wants Ray & Lawrence to get out of town, then the stirring up of a vigilante group by Rain's father is very muddled, it's sense of menace well drawn, but I don't find the characters at all believable. The denouement hackneyed, involving the Sheriff's boss locking up the pastor for "his own protection", discovery of the corpse of Rain by Lawrence, and the confession by the perp all seem very melodramatic & really disappointing.

This is a mystery thriller with supernatural tones. I think it can appeal to both audiences, those who enjoy a straightforward missing person case as well as those who gravitate toward paranormal subject matter. Beautiful setting and filming location in Sullivan County, NY. Characters were decent, acting could have been improved. Zane Holtz was a little stale at times. Overall, I think it is worth one viewing, especially for those who enjoy this genre, however it feels like a single viewing type of film.

Checked this out the other night. Turned out to be pretty good. Everything was pretty decent. Acting and the story is solid throughout the film. If you are just looking for a random movie to put on late at night, I'd recommend this, a one time watch for sure.

+1 Star For a Great Line! I watched this movie after just watching Lost Girl so it was even along the same plotline as a movie I had just watched. Through 2/3 of the movie I was intrigued by the whole thing. And now for the shocker, the ending. The Ending was pretty damn good too! All in All I was impressed. For this type of movie it was fairly close to perfect.