Ken (Geno Walker) has just moved to a new city and landed a charming apartment at the opening of the new horror film Night’s End. He’s a recently divorced father of two who has decided to make a fresh start to rebuild his life. Sadly, but good for us, his new apartment holds some dark secrets. Director Jennifer Reeder takes an above-average script by Brett Neveu and elevates it with polished production to deliver a slow burn of a paranormal thriller that is worth the watch.

We soon realize that all is not exactly right with Ken. Holding up in his new apartment, he spends his days shooting self-help videos for his fledgling YouTube channel, simmering his well-organized cans of tomato soup, and committing sacrilege to cup after cup of coffee by substituting creamer with Pepto Bismol. (easily one of the most disturbing things in the movie for this coffee lover.) Another habit he has picked up is papering his windows for privacy. On occasion, Ken touches base with his friend Terry (Felonious Munk) via video chat. It’s after one very strange incident during screen hang time with Terry, that Ken decides to look into the history of his apartment. Yes, it has a history and Ken immediately sees this as a way to make money online by producing videos of his discoveries.

With the slow simmer akin to those saucepans of soup Ken enjoys, we watch as he begins to toy with the Supernatural. Ex-wife Kelsey (Kate Arrington) and her new husband Isaac (Michael Shannon) warn him to be careful but Ken couldn’t care less when weird things begin to happen.

Shot during the Covid-19 pandemic, the script caters to the limitations of using the device of technology. To his credit, Walker is alone for most of the film, interacting with each of his co-stars through a computer screen. This certainly adds to the isolation that seems to be exerting an ever-tighter grip on Ken as the movie rolls along and it works for the most part. Of course, things have to escalate and that is where the film wobbles some. Not on account of the story, per se, but because there is a third-act addition of several other characters that really didn’t feel necessary. Walker‘s performance is solid and carries the film. There was no real need to overpopulate the story when the work was already getting done.

Overall, Night’s End is a resourcefully produced, entertaining paranormal thriller that builds to a satisfying end. Reeder has directed an intimate horror movie and managed to make something creepy, foreboding, and unsettling in the process. This isn’t groundbreaking horror, but there is a lot to enjoy between the strong lead performance, the crackling ghost story, and a few moments that are sure to make your toes curl.

6 out of 10