Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zack Gottsagn, Stephan James, Randall Park

Written By: Willy Vlutain, based on the book.

Directed By: Benjamin Caron

release Year: 2025

Studio/Streamer: Netflix

Audio Description produced By: Descriptive Video Works

Written By: Jeff Heck

Narrated By: Mocha Owen

What is it?: A family deep in poverty has one shot at finding a stable place to live, but when the matriarch (Leigh) blows their money, her daughter (Kirby) is left with the prospect of being kicked out on the street if she can’t come up with 25K by morning.

What Works: Some have reacted like this is poverty porn, but it rings just like any desperation film has before. That doesn’t necessarily make this Uncut gems, but it certainly isn’t as simplistic as writing it off as poverty porn. The other thing that’s troubling about that angle, is that it suggests there’s an entertainment value here. It’s just not a happy film.

That’s not to say you can’t get things out of it. I enjoyed Randall Park’s somewhat dramatic turn, but really te standout is Vanessa Kirby. Sure, Jennifer Jason Leigh is always great,but she’s just not in that much of the film. Kirby is in nearly every frame, and makes excellent use of every opportunity. Her character has clearly seen better days, but has also seen worse, and doesn’t want to slide back from the progress she’s made.

There’s a clever reference to her job, where in order to make some dough, she’s literally making bread. her job is that. On the side, she’s also a call girl, and that’s where she tries to get the big money. but, maybe fate has already decided. The title is silly, because it is just a statement of fact, but as night always comes, people tend to repeat their mistakes, and therein lies the problem.

What Doesn’t Work: It isn’t a fun watch. it’s a depressing film, and even with that, it feels like it isn’t the best. The beats are somewhat predictable, and some choices by the characters are often asinine and go unchallenged. it isn’t a perfect film, but for Netflix, it is a breath of fresh air. It feels like something not made under the influence of Netflix, but instead bought by it. And, if they continue to produce hot garbage internally, they should consider looking to more festival fare.

The Audio Description: There’s a lot that happens here, and Kirby gets more and more wrecked as the night goes on. I remember her going through a glass table, and i thought the description around that was good. solid narrator choice, strong writing, pretty typical stuff.

Why you Might Like It: if you’re looking for that indie vibe on Netflix, this is it. Also, if you don’t mind unhappy movies, this also falls in that category.

Why You Might Not Like it: The same reasons above, just a flipped view point. if you need something to cheer you up, this is not it. If you’re depressed already, this film will make you google hotline numbers.

Final Thoughts: Vanessa Kirby and Jennifer Jason Leigh help elevate a film about unrealistic goals, but also the drive to attain them no matter the cost.

Fresh: Final Grade: 6.3/10