This Is the Night (2021 film)

This Is the Night is a 2021 American drama film written and directed by James DeMonaco. It stars Frank Grillo, Lucius Hoyos, Jonah Hauer-King, Bobby Cannavale, and Naomi Watts.^[1] Jason Blum served as producer under his Blumhouse Productions banner and Sebastien Lemercier served as producer under his Man in a Tree Productions banner.

This Is the Night
Official poster
Directed by	James DeMonaco
Written by	James DeMonaco
Produced by	Jason Blum Sebastien K. Lemercier
Starring	Frank Grillo Lucius Hoyos Jonah Hauer-King Bobby Cannavale Naomi Watts
Cinematography	Anastas Michos
Edited by	Keith Fraase
Music by	Nathan Whitehead
Production companies	Blumhouse Productions Man in a Tree Productions
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	September 17, 2021 (2021-09-17)
Running time	108 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The film was released at the Angelika Film Center for a limited run on September 17, 2021, and was digitally released on September 21, 2021, by Universal Pictures.^[2] It was largely panned by critics.

Plot

In 1982, a family must confront its greatest challenges and the family realizes that the only way to live is like there's no tomorrow.

Cast

• Frank Grillo as Vincent Dedea
• Lucius Hoyos as Anthony Dedea
• River Alexander as Dov Sabian
• Jonah Hauer-King as Christian Dedea
• Bobby Cannavale as Frank Larocca
• Naomi Watts as Marie Dedea
• Cliff "Method Man" Smith as Louis
• Constantine Rousouli as Rafe the Handsome Mailman
• Lenny Venito as Carmine Cacioppo
• Madelyn Cline as Sophia Larocca
• Chase Vacnin as Albie Lenexa
• Adam Cantor as Tall Sal Barbero
• Steve Lipman as Santo Saggese

In addition, Frankie Montero plays gang leader Gus Giammarino, a brief but pivotal role.

Production

On May 15, 2018, Blumhouse Productions and Man in a Tree Productions announced James DeMonaco would be writing and directing a drama film titled Once Upon a Time in Staten Island, with Naomi Watts, Frank Grillo and Bobby Cannavale starring in the film.^[3][4][5] On August 4, 2020, it was announced the film was re-titled This Is the Night.^[6]

Principal photography began on May 30, 2018.^[7]

Release

The film had a one-week theatrical run at the Angelika Film Center on September 17, 2021, and was digitally released on September 21, 2021, by Universal Pictures.^[8]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 13% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.3/10.^[9][10]