Throwback Slasher With a Modern Bite

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MOVIE REVIEW
Night of the Reaper
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Genre: Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Brandon Christensen
Writer(s): Brandon Christensen, Ryan Christensen
Cast: Jessica Clement, Ryan Robbins, Summer H. Howell, Keegan Connor Tracey, Matty Finochio, Max Christensen, Ben Cockell, Bryn Samuel, Savannah Miller, Susan Serrao, Huxley Fisher, Isla Spencer, Sofie Kane, Deborah Ferguson, Blair Young, Jocelyn Chugg, Lonni Olson, Drake Seipert
Where to Watch: available on Shudder September 19, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Director and co-writer Brandon Christensen has long demonstrated an interest in using horror to explore more than just jump scares. The film’s setting—a quiet 1980s suburb where Halloween is still a community event—immediately feels familiar, yet the story avoids playing like a mere nostalgia cliche. Instead, it builds suspense by centering on Deena (Jessica Clement), a college student reluctantly taking a last-minute babysitting job while back home for the weekend. It’s a premise that sounds classic on paper. Still, Christensen and his brother Ryan give it a fresh twist by intersecting Deena’s ordeal with the investigation of Sheriff Rod (Ryan Robbins), who receives a chilling package suggesting a previous murder may only be the beginning.

One of the film’s strengths is its structural design. There are three parallel narratives: an unnerving cold open involving Emily (Summer H. Howell), Deena’s night with her babysitting escapades, and Sheriff Rod’s scavenger-hunt-style investigation. The tales gradually tighten, converging toward a finale that feels earned rather than forced. It’s here that Christensen’s background pays off; he crafts sequences with an eye for how tension can escalate. There’s a tangible texture to the world—suburban streets lit by flickering porch lights, houses that feel lived-in rather than staged, and violence that is brutal but never cartoonish.

The performances enhance this atmosphere. Clement carries much of the film's story as Deena, making her more than just a scream queen stand-in. Robbins gives Sheriff Rod a weary compassion, a man who seems to understand he’s in a losing race against time but won’t quit. Howell’s Emily makes the cold open linger throughout, and Christensen’s own son, Max, makes an impressive feature debut in a role written specifically for him. The ensemble doesn’t lean into camp; they treat the stakes as real, which makes the scares land harder.

For horror fans, the 80s-set babysitter storyline will evoke comparisons to a whole list of classic horror titles. Christensen explicitly cites some of those films as inspirations, but NIGHT OF THE REAPER works because it’s not content to mimic them. The scavenger hunt angle lends a procedural flair, adding a whodunit quality often lacking in modern slashers. There’s also a slight meta element: the killer’s game seems aware of horror tropes but doesn’t descend into parody. Instead, it maintains the seriousness of a community under siege, with Sheriff Rod’s investigation underscoring that the murders have consequences beyond a body count.

The final act’s payoff—complete with a twist that recontextualizes events—justifies the slow-burn approach. It’s also worth noting that Christensen manages to incorporate shocking violence without indulging in gratuitous gore. This restraint helps the film appeal to a wider range of horror fans, from die-hard slasher enthusiasts to viewers who appreciate psychological suspense. Clayton Moore’s cinematography complements Christensen’s vision with warm, autumn colors and deliberate framing that emphasizes isolation. The score by David Arcus, Terry Benn, and Michelle Osis leans into synth elements without feeling like a direct imitation of any specific style. It’s a soundtrack that complements the mood rather than overwhelming it, enhancing the film’s Halloween-season rewatch appeal. (and there was no other choice for the closing song, it had to be it!)

Where NIGHT OF THE REAPER truly distinguishes itself is in its subversion of audience expectations. What begins as a straightforward babysitter-in-peril story evolves into something more intriguing with deeper implications for the community and the investigators. It’s also a testament to Christensen’s growth as a filmmaker. The result is a film that feels both familiar and novel—one that horror fans may find themselves returning to every October, exactly as Christensen hopes.

NIGHT OF THE REAPER's effectiveness lies in execution: strong performances, a confident director with a clear love for horror, and a story that respects its audience enough to deliver more than just empty nostalgia. At 93 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and while there are minor flaws, the film earns its scares honestly with its throwback aesthetic, clever structure, and commitment to character-driven suspense. NIGHT OF THE REAPER stands out as one of the more engaging slashers of the year—a Halloween-season treat with just enough tricks to keep you guessing.

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[photo courtesy of SHUDDER, IFC FILMS, NOT THE FUNERAL HOME, SUPERCHILL]

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