Reviews
Night Patrol
The start of 2026 is already bloated with horror movies, but credit where it is due, Night Patrol is not your usual run of the mill entry in the genre. Instead, its core premise revolves around the Los Angeles Police Department’s night patrol unit being made up of vampires who hunt the very community their oath claims to protect. It is an intriguing idea at the best of times, but in the wild and tumultuous year that 2026 is already shaping up to be, the film’s blunt social and political commentary may be exactly what we need.
Night Patrol begins as it means to go on, with Crip gang member Wazi (RJ Cyler) meeting his girlfriend, who happens to be the sister of the leader of his rival Bloods gang. Any hope of romance is swiftly shattered with our first introduction to the Night Patrol. Their leader (CM Punk) orders the unit’s latest recruit, Hawkins (Justin Long), to execute Wazi’s girlfriend directly in front of him. After a brief moment of hesitation, Hawkins follows through, setting the tone for what lies ahead, while Wazi narrowly escapes before suffering the same fate.
The following day, Hawkins is back on duty as a regular LAPD officer alongside his partner Carr (Jermaine Fowler), who also happens to be Wazi’s brother. Carr clearly harbours resentment, viewing himself as the superior officer despite being passed over for the Night Patrol assignment. It becomes apparent, however, that Carr does not fully understand the true nature of the unit. Meanwhile, Wazi returns home to his intimidating mother (Nicki Micheaux), who practises Zulu mysticism and senses that a violent conflict with the Night Patrol is about to descend upon their estate.
While the vampiric nature of the Night Patrol is not immediately apparent, it is not long into the second act before the truth is revealed. This is where the film’s marketing feels slightly misguided, as a twist of this scale could have landed with far greater impact had it not already been spoiled, particularly when even the poster gives the game away. At the same time, the marketing may mislead audiences into expecting a full blown vampire horror, which Night Patrol certainly is not. If anything, it plays more like a cop film first, with vampire elements layered on top.
Following the reveal, the film begins to lose momentum. As the brewing conflict is repeatedly delayed, additional characters are introduced, slowing the pacing to a crawl and pushing the inevitable confrontation further away. With four screenwriters credited, the uneven rhythm suggests too many competing ideas, resulting in a narrative that feels cluttered and unfocused at times.
That said, when the war finally erupts, Night Patrol delivers some of its most gripping and intense sequences. The film’s messaging is unapologetically direct, most notably in a scene featuring a large tank filled with the community’s blood, used to sustain the Night Patrol officers as they revel in the destruction of the impoverished population they target. It is heavy handed and overt, but in the current climate it may resonate as a necessary expression of anger and resistance to injustices unfolding in real life.
Independent horror films often provide a platform for lesser known performers to shine, but here Justin Long stands out as the film’s strongest asset. Best known for his comedic roles, he showcases impressive range as Hawkins, convincingly portraying a loyal cop and friend before fully embracing a ruthless, bloodthirsty predator who will stop at nothing. RJ Cyler and Nicki Micheaux also deliver assured and powerful performances, at times elevating material that threatens to buckle under its own ambition.
While the film’s bloody, brutal and undeniably effective finale provides a satisfying conclusion, it is difficult to ignore a lingering sense of unrealised potential. Night Patrol introduces compelling and timely themes that are not always explored as fully as they deserve. Even so, this does little to diminish the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the film remains a solid start to the year, frequently rising above its limitations to deliver a consistently entertaining ride.
