Midnight Ruin

I don't ever watch shorts, but this one completely blew me away! Super dramatic with an insane concept for a story and leads into crazy twists that you never see coming. The cinematography is incredible and looks like it could be out of a Michael Mann or Coen brothers movie. The actors are excellent, they both did an amazing job capturing their characters, they felt like real people in only a small amount of screen time. This movie has a cool blend of dark humor and made me laugh out loud a few times, then it goes in the complete opposite direction and goes dark as hell. I did not see any of that coming. Super cool story and concept with great execution and acting.

The directors of this short film are brothers that have a wonderful podcast, I listen everyday and they had been talking about their upcoming film for awhile. I was super hype for it. They have a beautiful understanding of what makes a good movie, so I knew it wouldn't disappoint.

That being said, I went in to it with no knowing anything about the plot, so within the first few min I was hooked. It's such an interesting original premise that I guarantee will keep anybody intrigued.

Great acting and a gorgeous cinematography kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire 18 min run time (which felt so short because the pacing was phenomenal.) No matter what kind of movie enjoyer you are there is something for everyone to appreciate in this film.

These guys don't disappoint from podcasts to now directing short films they just kill. This short is 18 mins long and it's paced so well it's like your watching a 3 min movie. Some people I've seen talk about the the cinematography being the best part of this short and although it is amazing involving landscape shots and really well done handheld shots during the fight it's most glowing feat in my opinion is the writing. They wrote two very interesting characters that have multiple layers of development. The dialogue felt real; how people talk isn't the first thing that comes to mind but when you watch a movie and hear bad dialogue it takes a viewer out of the short. The realistic nature of the dialogue just keeps you ingrained in the full 18 min experience. Congrats to the Deveney brothers you guys did a heck of a job!

"Midnight Ruin" is an extraordinary short film that propels director Anthony Deveney into the limelight as a rising star in the industry. With James Deveney as the brilliant producer behind the scenes, the synergy between the twin brothers is palpable on screen. This captivating cinematic experience flawlessly captures the essence of moral ambiguity. Anthony's brilliant directorial choices, complemented by the evocative performances of the talented cast, effortlessly immerse the audience into a world of thrilling suspense and emotional turmoil. However, James Deveney's expert production skills undeniably shine brighter, showcasing his exceptional ability to craft a visually mesmerizing and thought-provoking narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. "Midnight Ruin" brilliantly enthralls viewers, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next masterpiece the Deveney brothers will conjure together.

I discovered Midnight Ruin while searching for more of Robert Palmer Watkins' work after seeing him in a short drama.

As a viewer from Japan, it's not easy to access many of his projects, so I was grateful to find this one.

Robert Palmer Watkins gives a chilling and layered performance as Christian.

His calm tone and gentle words are at odds with his ruthless actions, creating a disturbing emotional duality.

I was especially impressed by his range-not only in this role, but also in how naturally he moves between comedic and dramatic characters across his work.

Opposite him, Robert Adamson plays Oliver with raw intensity.

His emotional spiral-from rage to confusion and despair-is portrayed with heartbreaking realism.

The dynamic between the two actors builds tension with every scene, each exchange crackling with buried history and unresolved emotion.

The final gaze into the camera feels like a silent challenge: What would you do?

It lingers long after the screen fades to black.

As a Japanese viewer, I hope more people around the world get to see this hidden gem.