Movie-a-Day Challenge: The Night Listener

The night listener movie posterThis post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 190! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.

Hey folks!

So, I sat down last night and entered into some serious psychological thriller territory watching, “The Night Listener,” based on the novel by Armistead Maupin. It’s more like a slow burn that creeps under your skin and keeps you mesmerized until the very end.

For those of you who haven’t caught this flick yet, it’s pretty intense. Robin Williams stars as Gabriel Noone, a late-night radio storyteller whose life kind of spirals when he starts talking to this young listener, Pete, played by Rory Culkin. Pete has written a manuscript about the horrific abuse he suffered at the hands of his parents. Here’s the kicker: Pete’s only 14 years old !

Gabriel is instantly captivated by Pete’s story and his vulnerability. He also starts forming a bond with Pete’s adoptive mother, Donna (played by the ever-talented Toni Collette). But hold on a sec, folks, because this is where things get tricky. As Gabriel delves deeper into Pete’s story, some inconsistencies start popping up. Is Pete really who he says he is? Is Donna as trustworthy as she seems? Has anyone ever even seen Pete? Is the whole thing one elaborate hoax?

Now, I don’t wanna spoil the entire movie for you, but let’s just say Gabriel finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew. The line between truth and fiction starts to blur, and the suspense gets so thick you could cut it with a knife .

Speaking of suspense, I gotta say that it’s not that in-your-face kind of scare but more of a slow burn that creeps up on you. And those scenes where Gabriel’s wandering around Pete’s supposed hometown? Absolute chills, folks. The cinematography’s all shadows and whispers and makes you feel like you’re right there with him, peeking around corners and doubting everything.

Robin Williams is phenomenal in this film by the way. He completely sheds his usual comedic persona and portrays a man grappling with loneliness and desperation. And Toni Collette? Let’s just say her performance is chillingly good – you never quite know what she’s thinking or what her motives might be.

But alright, if I’m being honest here (and why wouldn’t I be?), the movie isn’t perfect. The pace can feel a bit off at times, like it’s unsure whether it wants to sprint or just stroll through the creepy parts. And some plot points feel a bit undercooked, leaving you wanting more or maybe just something a bit different.

However, overall, “The Night Listener” nails that eerie, unsettling vibe that’s perfect for a late-night movie binge. It makes you question the stories we hear and the people we trust. And Robin Williams? Just phenomenal.

So yeah, if you’re in the mood for a thriller that’s more of a slow simmer than a full boil, give it a watch. It might just have you questioning what’s real and what’s just a story.

Peace out ✌️
Roger

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