Skip to content

NIGHT OF THE BASTARD [FrightFest 2022]

Written By:

Joel Harley
Night of the Bastard

When a gravely injured young woman (Mya Hudson’s Kiera) stumbles across his secluded desert home, a reclusive hermit (London May, the titular bastard) finds himself playing reluctant host. With a malicious Satanic cult in hot pursuit, Reed must defend himself, his homestead (including turtle) and his uninvited guest from wave after wave of violent attacks. Or he could just give Kiera up for sacrifice. What’s a bastard to do?

Erik Boccio’s gritty grindhouse delivers visceral action of the distinctly low-budget variety, recalling Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes and Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. Which is to say that Night of the Bastard makes up for its technical shortcomings – the result of budgetary constraints – with crudely done gore, gonzo action and sick plot twists.

While the performances are understandably Indie-level, May nails the gruff bastardry required for the lead role. Night of the Bastard wouldn’t be much good without its bastard, and London May’s Reed is an enjoyably grumpy action antihero. Hudson, too, handles herself well against this barrage of violence and abuse. As the film’s villain, Hannah Pierce is enjoyably nutty, especially as the film enters its demented final phase and big revelations are made.

Night of the Bastard is a grimy, brutal take on the ‘70s action thriller. It wears its grindhouse influences on its sleeve, but delivers enough unique touches of its own to stand out from the crowd.

You May Also Like...

kristen stewart to star in vampire thriller flesh of the gods. still from twilight franchise

Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac To Star In Vamp Thriller FLESH OF THE GODS

Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac will star in vampire thriller Flesh of the Gods, the next project from Mandy filmmaker (and STARBURST favourite) Panos Cosmatos. Adam McKay is aboard to produce the feature with
Read More

Get Ready for Take-Off With the SUPER WINGS: MAXIMUM SPEED Trailer

Animated TV spin-off Super Wings: Maximum Speed is heading to cinemas! Check out the trailer below… Synopsis: Young airplane Jet is proud to be the fastest in the world, but
Read More
russell crowe stars in the exorcism trailer

THE EXORCISM Trailer Stars Russell Crowe As A Haunted Actor

The first trailer for demon possession horror The Exorcism, starring Oscar winner Russell Crowe, has been released… not to be confused with the demon possession horror The Pope’s Exorcist, starring
Read More
jodie comer in the end we start from, to star in 28 years later

Jodie Comer & Aaron Taylor-Johnson Join 28 YEARS LATER

Some of Britain’s finest actors are entering the zombie apocalypse, as Deadline reports that Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes are boarding 28 Years Later. Danny Boyle is directing
Read More
jennifer lopez in atlas trailer

Full Trailer Drops For JLo-Starring Sci-Fi ATLAS

Jennifer Lopez is forced to confront her ambiguous feelings about artificial intelligence in the first official, full-length trailer for Netflix’s science-fiction feature, Atlas.  Per the official synopsis, Atlas follows Atlas Shepherd
Read More
lakeith stanfield to star in and produce film adaptation of neo noir vampire video game el paso, elsewhere

LaKeith Stanfield To Star In Film Adaptation of Vampire Video Game EL PASO, ELSEWHERE

LaKeith Stanfield, who most recently starred in Jeymes Samuel’s sophomore feature, The Book of Clarence, is teaming up with veteran producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura for El Paso, Elsewhere, an adaptation of the
Read More