Fantastic Fest Review: ‘Night Patrol’ Keeps its Story Balanced and Hood

More and more often, I come across pieces of horror that hit a nerve. Not in the negative way, rather in a way that is deep and resonant. Growing up in the 80s, with the rise of ‘B-movie’ slashers in the zeitgeist, the genre felt like the furthest thing from thoughtful. As an adult and massive consumer of media, I’ve had time to learn about the deep connection the horror genre has to relaying the prevalent fears of the times. A society afraid of marijuana use unraveling the “morally ideal” society became the breeding ground for a film like Reefer Madness. So, what are the prevalent fears that create the environment for the subject of this film review, Night Patrol? Let’s get into it. A top-tier pick for me at Fantastic Fest, Night Patrol features a multicultural take on vampire and hunter lore never before executed. It felt like a healthy mix of Training Day meets Sinners with a dash of Friday. It was one of the few pieces with a Black lens shown at the festival, and it made waves with everyone who witnessed it. Night Patrol’s big idea is that the LAPD has an elite gangbuster task force that only patrols at night and has license to use lethal force. They’re all stocky white dudes with military backgrounds and a predilection for racist statements. They wear propagandistic logos, Oakley shades, and face masks adorned with skulls. Oh, and they’re vampires!

Justin Long (L) and Jermaine Fowler (R) push the envelope for Night Patrol. Image courtesy of RLJE Films / Shudder

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