Neon and Panic in the Concrete Labyrinth

Since summer is almost at an end, I thought it would be the perfect time to put together an 8-movie list of films together that are entirely set at night.

The list is split evenly across two regions, with four movies set in New York and four in California. For each region, two of the films focus on late-night confusion, surrealism, and panic, while the other two focus on youth culture, parties, and chaotic nights out.

I’m also not including any Gregg Araki movies because even though he is the king of the New Queer Cinema movement and stylized youth films, he is (rightfully) mentioned a lot in these type of subgenre lists. (Definitely check his work out though if you haven’t yet!)

Can you believe it is already almost Fall?

PART I: NEW YORK

— LATE NIGHT CONFUSION, SURREALISM, AND PANIC

1) After Hours (1985) - dir. Martin Scorsese

Synopsis: Desperate to escape his mind-numbing routine, uptown Manhattan office worker Paul Hackett ventures downtown for a hookup with a mystery woman.

I randomly threw this movie on back in February but I made a terrible mistake of watching it in the morning. This is a night movie through and through and honestly (probably) my favorite on this list. It is so intense and wild and the gritty NYC setting is what really makes it. If you are looking for a fever-dream movie that completely enthralls you into its world, please put this on.

2) Eyes Wide Shut (1999) - dir. Stanley Kubrick

Synopsis: After Dr. Bill Harford’s wife, Alice, admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings -- and quickly discovers that he is in over his head.

I first saw Eyes Wide Shut a few days before Christmas at one of my favorite indie theaters here in NYC and it was the perfect setting for the movie. It has this dreamlike pace and hypnotic atmosphere that makes the city really feel nocturnal and isolated. Even though it is more of a slow burn, it feels very intentional; maybe in part due to the fact that it was the ultimate final statement from Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick spent decades perfecting his movies and finished editing this one days before he died. You can truly tell it’s his final masterpiece.

— YOUTH CULTURE, PARTIES, AND CHAOTIC NIGHTS

3) 200 Cigarettes (1999) - dir. Risa Bramon Garcia

Synopsis: In 1981 New York City, a collection of twentysomethings try to cope with relationships, loneliness, desire and their individual neuroses on New Years Eve.

This is a love letter to the gritty, pre-gentrification 1981 East Village. The fashion is pure vintage punk and new wave, the soundtrack reflects the era, and it perfectly captures the funny, messy, and desperate struggle of trying to have a ‘perfect’ night out on New Year’s Eve with friends. Out of all these movies though, this one does have a badge at being notoriously difficult to find online so there is that caveat.

4) Party Monster (2003) - dir. Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato

Synopsis: The New York club scene of the 80s and 90s was a world like no other. Into this candy-colored, mirror ball playground stepped Michael Alig, a wannabe from nowhere special. Under the watchful eye of veteran club kid James St. James, Alig quickly rose to the top... and there was no place to go but down.

Just like 200 Cigarettes, this movie also takes place in the East Village along with Chelsea. It pushes the nighttime chaos into something much darker, more extreme, and fascinating as it highlights the people who became the party. I will say though, the drastic shift in tone is perfect to a late-night hours watch when you want something thats wildly eccentric with shocking performances.

PART II: CALIFORNIA

— LATE NIGHT CONFUSION, SURREALISM, AND PANIC

5) Miracle Mile (1988) - dir. Steve De Jarnatt

Synopsis: After 30 years of searching, Harry has finally met the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, before they even have a chance to go on their first date, Harry intercepts some chilling news: WWIII has begun and nuclear missiles will destroy Los Angeles in less than an hour!

Out of all of the movies on the list, this is the one that had me on the edge of my seat. It completely shifts from a quirky 1980s romantic comedy into a (maybe) apocalyptic countdown thriller in a few seconds. I can’t tell if it was because I first watched it while it was late at night and it made the escalating dread feel terrifying or if it was just the right movie at the perfect time, but it really did leave me thinking about it for days.

6) Nightcrawler (2014) - dir. Dan Gilroy

Synopsis: When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.

The entire movie takes place in LA and has an incredibly tense and deeply surreal theme to it. The movie isn’t happening to a confused victim but we are in perspective with the person who is actively creating the panic. The pacing is entirely driven by the protagonist which made me unable to look away.

— YOUTH CULTURE, PARTIES, AND CHAOTIC NIGHTS

7) Go (1999) - dir. Doug Liman

Synopsis: A supermarket clerk decides to step in for an absent drug dealer, setting off an explosive, comedic chain of events.

If you are looking for a recommendation for a drug-fueled, wildly unpredictable movie this is going to be it. The movie is set during one single, chaotic Christmas Eve night from three different perspectives. The centerpiece of the film is at a massive, underground LA rave and although it shows parties in their overwhelming and beautifully chaotic reality, it really doesn’t romanticize them.

8) Groove (2000) - dir. Greg Harrison

Synopsis: An inside look into one night in the San Francisco underground rave scene.

Talking about raves, Groove treats the rave setting as its own character. I love how it shows the intersection where 90s counter-culture merged with the early internet and doesn’t showcase characters that are Hollywood archetypes. Instead, they are passionate, open-minded, and nerdy kids all looking for belonging (which I feel like is the true theme of youth culture).