Watch A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

In the small Iranian ghost town of Bad City, a lonesome vampire roams the streets at night. Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' from 2014 is a unique and innovative film in the vampire genre. The film blends together elements of Iranian and American culture to create a moody, atmospheric story that examines themes of loneliness, isolation, and gender roles.

The film's protagonist is the titular girl, played by Sheila Vand. She is a vampire who prowls the streets at night wearing a chador, or traditional black cloak. The girl preys on the town's criminals, particularly men who abuse women. The film depicts her as a supernatural avenger, taking on the role of a protector of women in a place where they are often mistreated.

However, the girl is not simply a monster. As the film progresses, we learn more about her backstory and see glimpses of her humanity. She has moments of vulnerability and introspection, particularly when she forms a relationship with Arash (Arash Marandi), a young man who lives in Bad City. The two are drawn to each other despite their disparate backgrounds and circumstances.

Arash is a particularly interesting character as well. He is a kind and sensitive person who has the misfortune of being born into a life of poverty and dependency. His father, Hossein (Marshall Manesh), is a drug addict who owes money to a dealer named Saeed (Dominic Rains). Arash is forced to navigate this dangerous world and try to protect his father, while also forming a relationship with the mysterious girl.

The film's aesthetic is one of its most striking features. Shot entirely in black-and-white, Amirpour creates a stark and moody visual style that is reminiscent of classic film noir. The town of Bad City is depicted as a bleak and desolate place, with empty streets and rundown buildings. The girl's chador serves as a striking visual motif, evoking both traditional Iranian dress and the iconic look of horror movie monsters.

'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' is also notable for its musical score. The film features a mix of traditional Iranian music and modern pop songs, including tracks by artists like White Lies and Chromatics. The music helps to create a unique and evocative mood that adds to the film's dreamlike atmosphere.

At its core, 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' is a feminist film that challenges traditional gender roles. The girl is a powerful and complex character who subverts the typical male gaze of the vampire genre. She is not simply a sexual temptress or a mindless monster, but rather a person with agency and a moral compass.

The film also explores the intersection of gender and class. Both the girl and Arash are marginalized characters in their own way, with limited power and social status. The film shows how their experiences of loneliness and isolation are shaped by their gender and economic circumstances.

Overall, 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' is a unique and innovative film that stands out in the crowded vampire genre. It is a haunting and thought-provoking work that explores complex themes in a visually stunning and evocative way. The film is a triumph of style and substance, and a testament to the power of genre filmmaking.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 81.