The Night Clerk (2020) – Secrets, Surveillance, and a Dangerous Obsession

“He watches to understand people… but what happens when the people he watches are hiding deadly secrets?” 

“The Night Clerk” (2020) unfolds as a sleek psychological thriller that explores loneliness, obsession, and how technology can both connect and isolate. Directed by Michael Cristofer, the film offers a restrained but engaging tale that walks the fine line between voyeurism and vulnerability.

The story follows Bart Bromley (played by Tye Sheridan), a socially awkward young man working as a night clerk at a hotel. Bart is on the autism spectrum and struggles to communicate with people, leading him to install hidden cameras in guest rooms so he can study how normal conversations work. One night, Bart witnesses a murder in one of the rooms via his secret feed, pulling him into a dangerous web of suspicion, lies, and potential arrest as the primary suspect.

Tye Sheridan delivers a nuanced performance, balancing Bart’s childlike sincerity with an undercurrent of unsettling behavior. Ana de Armas co-stars as Andrea, a mysterious guest who befriends Bart, drawing him further into a world of secrets. Their connection is both sweet and suspicious, keeping viewers guessing about her true motives.

Visually, “The Night Clerk” is slick yet understated, employing cool color palettes and quiet tension. Rather than relying on fast-paced thrills, the film unfolds methodically, driven by character rather than explosive action. Though its pacing is slow at times, the film succeeds in crafting a low-key atmosphere of unease.

Ultimately, “The Night Clerk” is a modest but effective thriller that asks poignant questions about privacy, isolation, and how far someone might go just to feel less alone.