Night Always Comes Review: When Capitalism Is the Villain

Night Always Comes, a Netflix original, has been the platform’s most-watched film since its premiere on August 15. Directed by Benjamin Caron, written by Willy Vlautin and Sarah Conradt, and starring Vanessa Kirby, this thriller begins with a simple premise but explores a pressing theme that feels very relevant today.

Thrillers have often been used to address social issues that affect us as individuals, with cinema magnifying them so audiences can fully grasp how dangerous or unsettling real-life problems can be.

At a time when homelessness in the United States has reached record levels, the film seeks to show how poverty can impact people and drive them into the harshest situations.

Set in 2025, the story takes place against a backdrop of widening income inequality, inflation, predatory fees, underemployment, and even illegal online gambling. The path to homelessness can start with something as small as a pay cut or a rent increase, or with something more devastating like sudden unemployment or financial collapse.

This is where the story begins. In a Portland suburb, Lynette (Vanessa Kirby) juggles college, work, household duties, and the care of her older brother, who has a disability.

Lynette is hopeful as she prepares to secure financing for their home, but her mother betrays her, showing no concern for the mortgage or for anything else.

Angered by her mother, Lynette decides to take matters into her own hands. She has only about 16 hours to come up with $25,000, the down payment required to guarantee the house and the stability she has been fighting for. Owning the house also secures her guardianship of her brother, ensuring that it cannot be legally challenged.

Her desperate search for the $25,000 drives the film forward, with urgency shaping her every action. From prostitution to robbing acquaintances, selling drugs, and confronting people from her past, nothing is off-limits in Lynette’s fight to avoid falling back into the misery she has already endured.

The film’s dramatic structure is sharp and deliberate. From beginning to end, each action unfolds as a clear consequence of the last, creating a constant sense of urgency that grabs attention and keeps you on edge, always anxious about what comes next.

As Lynette spirals into corruption and violence to get the money, the story explores themes of theft, prostitution, attempted murder, assault, and even sexual exploitation of the vulnerable. Some are choices Lynette makes herself, while others are abuses she has endured.

Despite tackling such heavy subjects, the film avoids graphic violence or explicit depictions of harassment. Instead, everything is presented quickly and with a more subjective approach. The impact comes through emotion rather than shock, with characters carrying raw and visible pain.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its performances. Vanessa Kirby is electrifying on screen, able to convey the immense emotional weight of her character without relying on explanatory dialogue.

As the story unfolds, we see Lynette unravel, willing to go further and make increasingly reckless decisions to reach her goal. The supporting cast also makes a strong impression. Each character holds a meaningful place in the story and is portrayed with a sense of humanity that enriches the film.

For example, after Lynette steals a safe, she turns to a man to help her open it. He eventually tries to rob her, becoming an obstacle, but his story doesn’t stop there. He has a family, asks for his grandmother’s blessing before leaving, and has a younger sister who seems uncomfortable with what is happening. He also has an older brother who uses drugs, and his concern for this brother’s health and safety feels genuine.

In this film, every detail matters. No supporting character exists just to move the plot forward; each one helps build the larger theme of the story.

The quieter moments, when the tension eases, reveal deeply personal worlds. Even the briefest performances carry a sense of desperate humanity, reflecting a collapsing society forced to survive on the margins.

By making poverty and its social consequences the central theme, the film positions capitalism itself as the true villain, a force that has sickened society and driven it to extremes. This theme is present in every scene, creating both a micro- and macrocosm of the issue.

Sometimes, however, the commitment to emphasizing the theme comes at the expense of the drama. The script can feel inconsistent or even frustrating, especially toward the end. Still, the choice feels intentional, as the film prioritizes its message over a tidy resolution.

Night Always Comes is an unexpected gem. With a gripping plot and a timely theme, it holds your attention from beginning to end and more than justifies its success on Netflix.

Whether you are a fan of thrillers or simply looking for a thought-provoking film, this is a strong choice to watch alone or with others. After all, the best part of a compelling movie is being able to discuss it afterward.

And you? Share your thoughts on the film with us in the comments below!