Watch Child in the Night
- NR
- 1990
- 1 hr 35 min
-
5.5 (561)
Child in the Night is a 1990 thriller directed by Mike Robe staring JoBeth Williams, Tom Skerritt, and Season Hubley. The story follows Dr. Hollis Benton, played by Williams, a child psychologist who begins to have strange and disturbing nightmares after treating a young patient named Bonnie. The film opens with Benton treating Bonnie, played by Danielle Harris, a 7-year-old girl who is facing severe trauma after witnessing her mother's murder. Benton tries to help Bonnie come to terms with her trauma and move on with her life, but soon she begins to have recurring nightmare about Bonnie's mother's murder. The nightmares become increasingly vivid and violent, and Benton becomes convinced that they hold clues to her patient's unresolved case.
Meanwhile, Benton's personal life takes a dramatic turn when she separates from her husband, played by Skerritt, after he confesses to an extramarital affair. She moves into a new apartment with her daughter, played by Hubley, but her nightmares continue to plague her, causing her to become increasingly distant and erratic.
As Benton continues to delve into Bonnie's case, she discovers that the killer is still at large and begins to fear for herself and her own daughter's safety. She enlists the help of a detective, played by Claude Akins, to track down the killer before he can strike again. But as she gets closer to the truth, Benton begins to realize that her own past may be intertwined with Bonnie's case in ways she never could have imagined.
Child in the Night is a well-written and well-acted thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. JoBeth Williams delivers a strong performance as Benton, conveying both the character's strength and vulnerability, while Tom Skerritt and Season Hubley are also well-cast in their roles. The suspense and tension build steadily throughout the film, leading to a satisfying and surprising conclusion that ties all of the plot threads together.
Overall, Child in the Night is an engaging and enjoyable thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Its themes of trauma, memory, and the intrusiveness of dreams will resonate with viewers long after the credits have rolled.
Child in the Night is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.