'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever' Review: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's slick sequel fails to replicate scares
Contains spoilers for 'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As soon as word spread that Shudder would be releasing a sequel to the 1994 smash blockbuster film 'Nightwatch', titled 'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever,' the internet was ablaze with anticipation, with the expectation that this film could rekindle the dread and suspense that its predecessor generated three decades ago.
Director Ole Bornedal, who also wrote the script, attempts to recapture the enchantment of his breakout 1994 film, but this return journey to the mortuary falls short of capturing the same degree of suspense and fear.
Furthermore, despite having well-known actors like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and a plot that links to the first movie, the film has trouble staying grounded and keeps bouncing between genres and overused stereotypes.
'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever' derails with a slow pace and unclear direction
'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever' picks up after the horrific night that changed Martin's (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) life. He is still troubled by his near-death encounter with the vicious serial killer Wörmer (Ulf Pilgaard), along with coping with the trauma of his wife Kalinka's suicide, and his drug addiction makes matters worse.
His daughter, Emma (Fanny Leander Bornedal), motivated by a desire to understand her father's past and possibly help him heal, accepts a position as a night watchman at the same forensics center where the original horrors occurred, and that's when everything begins to unravel.
The meeting between Emma and Wörmer sets off a series of events that culminate in an unexpected killing spree. The idea of the film, which connects the two films, sounds engaging and well-written, but things are not as great as they seem.
Ole Bornedal, the director, seemed undecided about the course to follow, resulting in the movie suffering from poor execution. The first half of the story drags on, weighed down by needless character introductions and copious amounts of exposition.
The attempt to recreate the original film's psychological horror seems strained and devoid of the authentic fear that infused the 1994 movie.
Kim Bodnia shines as Jens in 'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever'
Kim Bodnia, in my opinion, steals the show. He does a great job portraying Jens and succeeds in bringing up some humorous moments. He gives a subtle performance that gives the movie vitality.
While Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's portrayal of Martin is amazing, fans of the 1994 film may be let down as his portrayal seems more like a reworking of the character than a continuation of the one we saw in the first place.
However, it can be linked to the man's current struggles with drugs and his wife's passing. As a result, he may be a lazy bum who relies on drugs while simultaneously living with constant anxiety.
The film's protagonist, Emma, played by Fanny Leander Bornedal, who is also the director's daughter, experiences hardships. Despite her best efforts, her overacting ruins the character's potential to be a compelling protagonist.
It's especially bad for veteran actor Ulf Pilgaard. Wórmer, his character, has undergone many significant changes and he is now only a shell of the fearsome man he once was. Pilgaard has very little to work with due to the character's weakness.
'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever' struggles with genre Identity and pacing issues
The film struggles to define its genre, veering back and forth between a full-fledged slasher and psychological horror. The first half is incredibly tedious because of pointless exposition and character introductions. The gradual escalation fails to create tension and makes the audience impatient.
Furthermore, the conclusion falls short of its intended impact because it is unable to replicate the suspense and eerie atmosphere that were the film's main selling points. In addition, the movie presents a number of characters but falls short in their character development. As a result, I felt detached and uninterested in their outcomes.
As a continuation of the first film, 'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever' is worth viewing for those who enjoyed the original as it reunites Martin and Jens. The film had a lot of potential, though, given its successful predecessor, the director's return, and the casting return after three decades.
Unfortunately, this potential was squandered by the film's dreadful first half and lack of truly terrifying scenes that could make you shiver.
'Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever' is now streaming on Shudder