Netflix is like that annoying friend that seems to know better than you. However, no matter how many times they tell you to watch something, you ignore them. Almost out of the desire to not do what you're told, good old fashioned spite. Eventually, they either convince you and you don't want to admit it or you ignore it until 8 years later, once the statute of limitations is past and you finally watch. 'Last Shift' is one of those movies that Netflix kept telling me to watch. All of the Facebook groups for horror films and for Netflix streaming movies, kept telling me to watch. It just kept popping up left and right, it was non stop. I kind of hated it. The cover art really turned me off, but deep down.... the concept fascinated me. I really wanted to keep putting it off and to just let it slip into oblivion, however.... I gave in last night and finally watched it. I hate to admit it, but all the pushing was somewhat justified. Maybe it's not going to change the face of modern horror, but it's above average for sure.
Directed and co-written by Anthony DiBlasi, 'Last Shift' is an exercise in minimalism horror. I don't know if that's a real thing, but that's what I'm going to refer to it as. Simple sets, story line and very few actors. That's not a bad thing. Sometimes, less is more. In the case of 'Last Shift', it worked in it's favor. Not unlike the incredibly creepy and amazingly underrated remake of 'Nightwatch' (1997), starring Ewan McGregor and Patricia Arquette. It's a similar set up and very similar feel, but they are not even remotely the same films. Where 'The Late Shift' succeeds is in it's build up of tension and it's lack of blatant exposition. It allows the viewer to learn what's happening as the characters in the film learn what's happening. You're never entirely sure where the reality ends and where the supernatural or imagined parts begin. It sets you on edge and makes you question what you're seeing going on around you. Where this film fails, is primarily in the last 5 minutes. Up to that point, it's a solid story line, that holds the viewers attention and keeps you guessing. Sadly, it's as if someone was reading a book on cliched third acts and they took a page out of that book and pasted it to the script and called it good. It's just lazy writing and for a film that had such promise, it ended up being a rather big letdown. I wouldn't tell people to stay away entirely. The film has it's merits and is worth the hour and half of your life. I mean, if you've got nothing else to do over the weekend, this would make a great Saturday night popcorn flick.
If you like this film, also check out: 'Nightwatch' (1997), 'Maniac Cop' and 'Let Us Prey'
