Directed by Benjamin Caron and adapted by Sarah Conradt from Willy Vlautin’s novel, Night Always Comes is a tense, character-driven crime thriller that unfolds over one harrowing night in Portland, Oregon. Released on Netflix on August 15, 2025, it stars Vanessa Kirby as Lynette, a desperate woman racing against time to raise $25,000 to save her family’s home.
Night Always Comes is a dramatic thriller that, while well-executed, is deeply unsettling. It tells the story of a troubled family and a determined sister, Lynette, who’s doing everything she can to protect her developmentally disabled brother. Unfortunately, she’s entirely on her own, her mother is emotionally distant and deeply troubled, and their family home is on the verge of being lost. This desperation drives Lynette into a series of high-stakes, dangerous decisions that threaten her safety and push her to the edge.
The tone of Night Always Comes is dark and emotionally intense. Its strongest elements are the direction, atmospheric cinematography, and Vanessa Kirby’s gripping performance. However, the film suffers from noticeable plot holes and inconsistencies. For example, while the initial rent payment to avoid eviction is $1,500, Lynette shifts her focus to raising $25,000 for a house deposit, an abrupt and confusing pivot that undermines the urgency of saving her family’s current home.
Ultimately, Lynette’s downfall is driven by a series of increasingly reckless decisions that, while rooted in desperation, often feel frustratingly illogical.
Overall, the film’s only true strength is Vanessa Kirby’s gripping performance. Aside from that, Night Always Comes is a difficult and often frustrating watch.
