It Comes at Night

It Comes at Night

Year: 2017

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Trey Edward Shults

MysteryHorror

After a cataclysmic event, a father and his young daughter are forced to seek refuge in an isolated underground shelter. They are unexpectedly joined by another family, and an uneasy alliance forms as they attempt to survive. However, as paranoia and fear escalate, the fragile trust between them unravels, leading to a dark and unsettling confrontation that tests the limits of their humanity and the lengths they will go to protect their own.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – It Comes at Night (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of It Comes at Night (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Near-future dystopia

Set in a near-future dystopia, the film showcases the aftermath of a devastating virus that has ravaged the world. This ominous time period is marked by fear, mistrust, and a constant struggle for survival. As societal norms disintegrate, the characters are left confronting their own moral decisions in an unforgiving landscape.

Location

Wooded area, Abandoned locations

The movie takes place primarily in a dense, eerie wooded area where isolation reigns supreme. The surroundings are desolate, evoking a sense of foreboding as the characters navigate their harsh reality. Abandoned locations symbolize the collapse of society due to an unseen virus, providing a backdrop for the tension between the families.

🌲 Woods 🏚️ Abandonment

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:40

Main Characters – It Comes at Night (2017)

Meet the key characters of It Comes at Night (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Paul (Joel Edgerton)

Paul is a determined father struggling to protect his family in a hostile, decaying world. His character embodies the conflict between aggression and vulnerability as he navigates the chaos surrounding their existence. His fierce loyalty to his family often leads to difficult decisions that ultimately impact their fate.

🛡️ Protector 🔥 Aggressive

Sarah (Carmen Ejogo)

Sarah is a devoted mother and daughter who grapples with the toxic atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Her nurturing nature is often overshadowed by the grim reality they face, yet she strives to maintain a semblance of normalcy for her family. Her emotional resilience is tested as tragedy unfolds.

💪 Resilience 👩‍👧‍👦 Maternal

Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.)

Travis is a sensitive and impressionable young man, haunted by nightmares and the grim reality of his family's survival. His character embodies the loss of innocence as he confronts fear, grief, and the complexities of human relationships in a world turned upside down. His dreams serve as a reflection of the trauma surrounding him.

🌌 Haunted 😔 Innocence

Will (Christopher Abbott)

Will is a desperate man seeking help for his family in a dire situation. He embodies the uncertainty of trust in a fractured world, as his intentions blur the lines between friend and foe. His interactions with Paul reveal the fragile nature of human connections in the face of survival.

🤝 Trust 🎭 Ambiguity

Kim (Riley Keough)

Kim is a mother who shares the burden of survival with Will. Her character reflects the desperate hope and longing for a lost normalcy amidst chaos. As she interacts with Paul and Sarah, her presence adds to the emotional tension that ultimately leads to tragic outcomes.

👩‍👦 Maternal 🥀 Hopelessness

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:40

Major Themes – It Comes at Night (2017)

Explore the central themes of It Comes at Night (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Loss

Loss pervades the story as characters grapple with the death of loved ones and the remnants of their former lives. The film explores how grief manifests in isolation and shapes their tenuous relationships. Each death resonates deeply, revealing the fragility of human connections amidst catastrophic circumstances.

🚪 Isolation

Isolation is central to the film, both physically and emotionally. The characters are cut off from the outside world, creating an insular environment filled with tension and paranoia. As they struggle to coexist, the walls they build to protect themselves also lead to their undoing.

⚔️ Survival

The theme of survival permeates the narrative as characters face harrowing choices in a world stripped of civilization. Survival is depicted not just in the physical sense but also through the moral dilemmas that arise when trust is a scarce resource. The lengths to which they go to protect their families are both desperate and tragic.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:40

Unlock the Full Story of It Comes at Night

Don't stop at just watching — explore It Comes at Night in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what It Comes at Night is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

It Comes at Night Summary

Read a complete plot summary of It Comes at Night, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

It Comes at Night Summary

It Comes at Night Timeline

Track the full timeline of It Comes at Night with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

It Comes at Night Timeline

It Comes at Night Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of It Comes at Night? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

It Comes at Night Ending Explained

More About It Comes at Night

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about It Comes at Night: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About It Comes at Night

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