The Night Clerk at the Hamelton Hotel in New Jersey, Bart Bromley (Tye Sheridan), is a unique young man who participates in some less-than-moral extracurricular activities. At the hotel where he works, Bart has placed a camera in one of the rooms, allowing him the ability to watch the rotation of tenants come, go, and engage in a number of activities. While spying on the occupants of the room is bad enough, the knowledge he is provided as a result of his meddling lands him in a peculiar situation as the primary suspect in a murder investigation.
Asperger Syndrome is defined as “A developmental disorder affecting ability to effectively socialize and communicate.” Bart Bromely is open and honest about his diagnosis and has, for as long as viewers can tell, struggled with finding ways to socialize and interact with others the way he believes he should. Autism is used as a device to guide the story of The Night Clerk, and while some feel that it comes dangerously close to exploitation, I believe it falls closer to that of empathy. This particular character trait allows viewers to appreciate the sentiment behind every one of Bart’s words and fall in love with the character as a whole. While I do believe that this is an appropriate way to engage viewers, it can be a difficult task to pull off, and the wrong actor could have destroyed the film. That being said, Sheridan was, in every way, the right choice for The Night Clerk. I’m familiar with his talents and have seen him in various X-Men films, as well as Ready Player One and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, but this particular performance made me forget about the others. I often found myself mesmerized by his performance and unable to separate Sheridan and Bromley. Every neck crane, each struggle with emotion, and the nearly perfect pacing of his speech helps to bring Bart to life and moves The Night Clerk a bit closer to success.
Opposite Sheridan is Ana De Armas (Andrea Rivera), who has become a household name in the past few years or so. Even as she grows bigger and bigger, the roles she takes (and slays) continue to enamor viewers and remind them of the immense talent that she possesses. Throughout the course of The Night Clerk, De Armas is asked to fluctuate her persona from aggressor to subordinate over and over again. Her character manages to be both dominant and fragile at the same time, keeping Andrea layered and relatable. There is a specific moment late in the film in which De Armas must deliver an onslaught of emotion that has viewers melting in their seats. Through the tears is a vulnerable woman incapable of hiding behind the rough exterior any longer. She engages viewers and allows them no choice but to feel for her as she struggles through her hardships. Needless to say, the combination of Sheridan and de Armas is incredible, and, regardless of anything else that takes place throughout, The Night Clerk, deserves recognition because of these two talented individuals.
The story is the most troubling aspect of The Night Clerk and might be the only reason why viewers might struggle to appreciate what writer-director Michael Cristofer has done. Much of the film feels fractured, oddly unapologetic, and unnecessarily winding. Certain moments throughout the course of the film feel as if they could have been omitted, but still they exist and take something away from the relatable and loveable characters. Even through the scattered monotony Sheridan and De Armas are able to shine and grip viewers.
The story can be somewhat cumbersome from time to time, but the smooth and intelligible acting of both De Armas and Sheridan make even the most dizzying scenes enjoyable. Their chemistry is intriguing, and their ability to bring darkness to the surface and manipulate it to entertain viewers is both amusing and impressive. The Night Clerk certainly has its flaws, but the combination of the two leads makes every second of the film worthwhile.
Written & Directed by Michael Cristofer. Starring Tye Sheridan, Ana De Armas, Helen Hunt, John Leguizamo, Johnathon Schaech, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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