The Vast of Night

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The Vast of Night

PG-13

Released May 15, 2020

1h 30m

Fantasy

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

247 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In the 1950s, two kids search for the source of a mysterious frequency that has descended on their town.

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Critics Consensus

An engrossing sci-fi thriller that transcends its period trappings, The Vast of Night suggests great things for debuting director Andrew Patterson.

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Robert Levin

Newsday

"The Vast of Night" is an entertaining sci-fi nostalgia piece that's made with an unusually high level of technical flair.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 5, 2021

Full Review

Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

A low-fi genre gem that proves the age-old maxim that less is often more-especially when such minimalism is wielded by gifted artists.

Feb 2, 2021

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

The technical proficiency of Patterson's debut is off the charts, and it'll be interesting to see if and how this gifted filmmaker manages to maintain his independence...

Jan 27, 2021

Full Review

Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

The Vast of Night is a film that you should definitely seek out. It has a great aesthetic, a wonderfully haunting score, a compelling narrative and strong performances.

Oct 3, 2024

Full Review

Jennifer Bisset

CNET

This low-budget indie has surprisingly high production values, impressive performances and inventive camerawork to help tell the story...

Mar 21, 2023

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Alison Gillmor

Winnipeg Free Press

The Vast of Night is about what humans do in the face of mystery. It’s about why we question and search.

Feb 27, 2023

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Farah R

It requires patience to get through this movie, but the payoff is worth it. The Vast of Night is a well-made sci-fi thriller that’s heavy on nostalgia with its incredible aesthetic and dialogue. If only it delivered a more climactic twist after all the suspense it built.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

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wilfred h

Boring, predictable like the Blair Witch project, annoying american rubbish

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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Paloma J

Siempre he pensado que The Vast of Night es una joya oculta dentro del género de ciencia ficción. Tiene esa capacidad de transportarte a la nostalgia de los años 50, cuando las radios eran el principal medio de comunicación y las historias de ovnis empezaban a capturar la imaginación del público. Lo que más me impresiona es que es el debut cinematográfico de Andrew Patterson, y aun así logra crear una experiencia envolvente con un enfoque minimalista pero increíblemente efectivo. Desde el primer momento, la película me atrapó y no me soltó hasta el final.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

Tex S

A great story, that feels like it was actually made in it's set period. Beautifully shot with a multitude of long-takes, and some excellent camera drone work. The real-time feel of travel and distance, makes this movie come to life in a way I wouldn't have expected. Andrew Patterson displays true artistry in the direction of this movie. I absolutely loved watching this movie with my wife and all 6 kids, glued to the TV, making comments about the direction, and camera work. All positive. Quite possibly the first thing all 8 of us ever agreed on. ;-) Anyone can enjoy this movie, and I certainly hope you do.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty decent watch with awesome storytelling and a huge build-up, but it lacks a real payoff. I'm not mad I watched it, but I probably wouldn't watch it again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

Full Review

Alex N

A small indie movie that was absolutely worth watching. Really good setting and a few good twists and turns to the movie that gave me a good chill and a feel of being involved into the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

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The Vast of Night: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the 1950s, two kids search for the source of a mysterious frequency that has descended on their town.

Director: Andrew Patterson
Producer: Adam Dietrich, Melissa Kirkendall, James Montague
Screenwriter: James Montague
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Production Co: GED Cinema
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 15, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 31, 2020
Runtime: 1h 30m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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