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6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Before Midnight remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you enjoy movies where people stand around in hats talking about motives for 70 minutes, you’ll be fine. If you need something that moves faster than a turtle in mud, stay away. It’s a very specific kind of comfort food for people who like black-and-white puzzles.
The whole thing kicks off with a guy predicting his own demise. I mean, sure, it’s a classic hook. It’s got that vibe of something you’d find on a dusty VHS tape at a yard sale.
I couldn't help but think about The Trail of the Shadow while watching this. It has that same weird, stiff energy where everyone feels like they’re waiting for their cue to enter the frame. It’s not necessarily bad, just… wooden.
The dialogue is so fast and punchy that I think I missed half the plot. Not that the plot really matters when everyone is just shouting about who had the key. One character keeps adjusting his tie, and I spent way too long wondering if that was a subtle hint or if the actor just had an itchy neck.
It’s definitely not as sharp as Torchy, but it gets the job done if you’re bored on a rainy Tuesday. The pacing is a bit of a mess, honestly. It jumps from “we have no leads” to “oh, here is the killer, thanks for coming” in like thirty seconds. 🕵️♂️
Anyway, don't overthink it. Just watch it, notice the weird shadows, and move on. It’s just a movie, after all.