5 Years Ago, Prime Video Quietly Released An Overlooked Sci-Fi Masterpiece

by

Many of the best science fiction films of the 21st century haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. Films like Scarlett Johansson’s Under the Skin, Bong Joon Ho’s Okja (before his success with Parasite), and Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor are all exceptional movies that, while appreciated by some, didn’t achieve widespread recognition.

As a sci-fi fan, I’ve been really excited to see streaming services offer up some different kinds of stories lately. We’re getting away from just big-budget effects and endless reboots, and instead seeing a return to more thoughtful, character-driven sci-fi. Netflix has been great with films like Bird Box, The History of Future Folk, and They Cloned Tyrone – they all feel fresh and unique. But 2020 also brought us a fantastic original from Prime Video, and honestly, it’s quickly become one of my favorite sci-fi movies of the 21st century.

The Vast Of Night Is A Masterclass In Sci-Fi Suspense

There’s a distinctly Hitchcockian feel to The Vast of Night, and it goes beyond just the 1950s backdrop. The film focuses on just two main characters, unfolds in a few confined locations, and relies very little on special effects. Thanks to Andrew Patterson’s clever direction, a fascinating script by James Montague and Craig W. Sanger, and strong performances from Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz, The Vast of Night expertly wrings every ounce of suspense out of its simple story and limited resources.

The film evokes a Hitchcockian feeling because it creates a sense of unease without always revealing the source. There’s a subtle, unsettling atmosphere. Rather than jumping right into the sci-fi plot, The Vast of Night takes its time developing the main characters, Everett and Fay. The clever camera work and dramatic use of light and shadow keep things engaging during this setup, but the movie truly becomes captivating once the science fiction elements begin.

One of the most striking things about The Vast of Night is how little the movie explains directly to the audience. Aside from one brief interview, we only learn about the mystery as the main characters, Everett and Fay, uncover it themselves. Instead of being told a story by knowledgeable experts, we experience it with them, which makes the film far more thrilling and suspenseful than relying on special effects or action.

The Vast Of Night Is Genuinely Chilling

The movie Vast of Night clearly draws inspiration from films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the fear-filled, paranoid B-movies of the 1950s, particularly those reflecting the McCarthy era. However, despite these influences, it manages to be genuinely more frightening than simply combining those elements.

Building on the idea that the unknown is more frightening than what’s visible, the first half-hour of The Vast of Night creates a gripping atmosphere where even the smallest sounds, like radio static, make you jump. As strange events escalate, you’ll be torn between needing to understand what’s terrorizing the town of Cayuga, New Mexico, and wanting to stay safely in the dark.

I have to say, one of the coolest things about The Vast of Night is how its ending works. Because it wasn’t a huge, flashy production, the filmmakers were able to take risks that bigger sci-fi movies just couldn’t. It definitely stays with you after the movie ends, and honestly, when you think about it, it’s the only way things could have realistically played out. This isn’t like Stranger Things where a convenient power suddenly solves everything – there’s no easy fix here, and I really appreciated that.

While not filled with jump scares, The Vast of Night is the kind of film that will stay with you and make you a little uneasy – you might even find yourself checking around before going to sleep.

Why Wasn’t The Vast Of Night A Bigger Deal?

“The Vast of Night” wasn’t made to be a typical blockbuster sci-fi film. It’s the kind of movie that’s hard to trailer because it doesn’t have easily marketable, attention-grabbing scenes. Instead, it’s a film you really need to watch from beginning to end – it’s best enjoyed as a complete experience, similar to listening to a Pink Floyd album or finishing a can of Pringles.

Most people will likely discover this movie through word-of-mouth or reviews, rather than traditional advertising. It was directed by a newcomer, Andrew Patterson, and featured a cast of relatively unknown actors. While it’s now popular on streaming, it was made when Amazon’s Prime Video was still growing and trying to catch up to Netflix.

Releasing in May 2020 was a bit of an odd moment for The Vast of Night. While many people were watching films online, everyone had just finished the Tiger King craze, and a lot of content from that time quickly faded from view.

Luckily, streaming services mean you can still find and enjoy The Vast of Night even years after its release. The film holds up beautifully, and if you’re feeling disconnected from current sci-fi, it offers a truly refreshing experience.

Read More

2025-12-18 20:19