The Vast of Night Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Teens in the 50s discover a cosmic glitch on the radio and decide to investigate instead of enjoying the sock hop; aliens are probably involved, maybe.

🍿 The Vast of Night: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Night in Cayuga

In 1950s New Mexico, teenager Fay Crocker works as a switchboard operator while Everett Sloan hosts a radio show. As the town gathers for a basketball game, both notice strange occurrences. Fay intercepts unusual audio signals through the switchboard, and Everett receives similar sounds on his radio show.

The Mysterious Signal

Fay and Everett team up to investigate the strange sounds. They broadcast the signal on the radio, hoping someone can identify it. An elderly woman calls in, claiming the sound is connected to mysterious events and missing people in the town’s history. They decide to follow up on the lead, intrigued and increasingly concerned.

Mabel Blanche’s Story

Everett and Fay meet Mabel Blanche, who recounts a chilling story about her son’s disappearance and her belief in extraterrestrial involvement. She claims the strange sounds are a form of communication used by these beings. Her detailed narrative adds a layer of paranoia and fear to the unfolding mystery. They believe her story and decide to investigate the source of the sounds.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Fay Crocker (Sierra McCormick): A curious and quick-witted switchboard operator who discovers a strange signal.
• Everett Sloan (Jake Horowitz): A charismatic and fast-talking radio DJ who aids Fay in investigating the mysterious signal.
• Mabel Blanche (Gail Cronauer): An older, reclusive woman who shares a chilling story about her past experiences with the unknown.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Everett: “Now, I want you to listen closely, Fay. This could be the most important thing we ever do.” – Everett emphasizes the gravity of their discovery as they begin investigating the strange signal.
• Mabel Blanche: “I think at the lowest level, they send people on errands, and play with people’s minds. They sway people to do things, and think certain ways – so that we stay in conflict, focused on ourself – so that we’re always .. cleaning house, or losing weight, or dressing up for other people. I think they get inside our heads and make us do destructive things, like drink and over eat. I’ve seen good people go bad, and smart people go mad.” – Mabel Blanche explains her theory about the mysterious forces at play.
• Mabel Blanche: “I think at the highest level they do things that cause nations to go to war. Things that make no sense. And I think no one knows they’re being affected. We all work out other reasons to justify our actions. But free will is impossible with them up there. I’ve had an entire life to think about this. Years alone. And that’s what I think.” – Mabel Blanche explains her theory about the mysterious forces at play.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $700,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,237
• Worldwide Gross: $48,358

💥 The Vast of Night Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into the world of ‘The Vast of Night.’ The long takes and the rapid-fire dialogue really put me right there in Cayuga, New Mexico. I loved the sense of mystery and how it felt like a classic ‘Twilight Zone’ episode brought to life, the scene with Mabel Blanche sent chills down my spine. The ending left me with so many questions, and I spent hours thinking about what happened to Fay and Everett.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Twilight Zone”
  • “Sci-fi enthusiasts”
  • “Lovers of slow-burn mysteries”
  • “Those interested in 1950s aesthetics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Thematic elements of fear and paranoia”
  • “Brief frightening moments”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Patterson crafts a compelling retro sci-fi atmosphere with stunning long takes and a creeping sense of unease. The film’s success lies in its ability to build suspense through dialogue and sound design, making it a unique and engaging cinematic experience.
• Variety: “A captivating blend of ’50s nostalgia and sci-fi mystery, ‘The Vast of Night’ offers a fresh take on classic genre tropes. The film’s deliberate pacing and focus on atmosphere create a mesmerizing, if occasionally slow-burning, viewing experience.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “The film creates a palpable sense of mystery and intrigue. While the minimalist approach may not appeal to all viewers, those who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and evocative visuals will find much to admire in this unique indie gem.

Audience Reactions

The long takes create an immersive, almost theatrical experience.: Viewers often praised the film’s innovative cinematography and its ability to build tension without relying on special effects.

The performances of Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz perfectly capture the energy and curiosity of youth.: Many viewers highlighted the strong performances of the lead actors, praising their chemistry and ability to deliver the film’s rapid-fire dialogue.

Overall Consensus: A unique and captivating sci-fi mystery that favors atmosphere and character over spectacle, ‘The Vast of Night’ has garnered praise for its innovative cinematography, strong performances, and ability to evoke a sense of retro nostalgia.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on a micro-budget, requiring creative solutions to achieve its period aesthetic and ambitious long takes.”
• “Director Andrew Patterson and writers James Montague and Craig W. Sanger all made their feature film debut with ‘The Vast of Night’.”
• “The film’s narrative is framed as an episode of a fictional 1950s television series called ‘Paradox Theater’, paying homage to ‘The Twilight Zone’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Vast of Night?

The Vast of Night is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with a Prime subscription. You may also be able to find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Vast of Night, you might like these similar films:

• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Shares a similar theme of ordinary people encountering unexplained phenomena and features government cover-ups and mysterious audio signals.
• The Twilight Zone: ‘The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street’ (1960): Mirrors the atmosphere of paranoia and small-town mystery, reflecting anxieties of the Cold War era.
• Primer (2004): Demonstrates a similar commitment to complex, dialogue-heavy storytelling, innovative cinematography and a suspenseful tone.

🛒 The Vast of Night Related Products

• The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: Experience the groundbreaking anthology series that inspired ‘The Vast of Night’, filled with thought-provoking tales of the strange and unusual.
• Retro 1950s Diner Sign: Bring the nostalgic aesthetic of the 1950s into your home with a vintage-style diner sign, perfect for creating a retro atmosphere.
• Vintage Radio AM/FM Shortwave Radio: Functional Vintage Radio with Bluetooth Speaker. A great gift that has vintage appearance and modern function.
• UFO Alien Abduction T-Shirt: Show your love for the extraterrestrial and mysterious with this t-shirt. Several colors and styles available.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Vast of Night features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A School Burnt Down” – performed by Andy Moor and Yannis Kyriakides
• “Main Theme” – performed by Erick Alexander and Jared Bulmer
• “Static Transmission” – performed by Erick Alexander and Jared Bulmer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tom Hanks On Making ‘Cast Away’

Ever wonder what goes into making a movie? Tom Hanks gets real about the worries and risks involved! It’s a surprisingly insightful look at the ‘plow through’ attitude needed to get things done, and I think it’s totally relatable.

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