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7.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Spuk um Mitternacht remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school physical comedy, sure. If you find black-and-white slapstick tiresome, skip it.
Honestly, you probably already know if you're the type to enjoy Laurel and Hardy. It's all about the timing. The way Ollie looks at the camera when things go sideways is still the funniest thing on screen.
The house scenes have this weird, hollow echo to them. It feels like they shot it in a drafty warehouse, which only makes the ghosts and bumps in the night feel even more fake. And I kind of love that.
There is a moment where Stan gets startled by a shadow that lasts about three seconds too long. It’s awkward. It’s clunky. But it works because it’s just Stan being Stan.
Watching this made me think about how much simpler the pacing was back then compared to something like Battleship Potemkin. Everything just happens. Nobody is trying to be profound here.
There’s a strange energy in the room whenever they aren't talking. Just two guys trying not to fall over their own feet. It’s barely a movie, honestly. It’s more like a series of sketches stitched together with some creaky floorboards.
Sometimes the film feels like it’s running out of ideas, so they just throw another vase at Ollie’s head. It’s predictable, but in the best way. You’re not watching this for the plot twist. You’re watching to see Ollie get frustrated and Stan scratch his head. 👻
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s just a funny half-hour of people acting like idiots in the dark. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.