Nightwatch (1994) explores an eerily relatable aspect of life—the tension between mundane routines and the lurking unknown. For Martin, a law student, taking up a night watchman job at a morgue offers the promise of quiet nights to focus on his studies. However, the eerie silence of death and the horror of unexplained occurrences in the midst of routine exams is something we all face in our own way. The movie reflects how ordinary life can easily brush against darkness, making us question what we do not see in the corners of our daily existence.
Directed and written by Danish filmmaker Ole Bornedal, Nightwatch was released on February 25, 1994, and stars a young Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (long before Game of Thrones fame) in the lead role of Martin. Sofie Gråbøl, Kim Bodnia, and Lotte Andersen add depth to the cast. The film gained recognition in Denmark, selling over 465,000 tickets and earning Rikke Louise Andersson a Bodil Award for Best Supporting Actress. Bornedal, who later directed a 1997 English-language remake, was inspired by his experience in a morgue, and this sense of dread permeates the film. Premiering at Cannes Critics' Week and later showcased at Rome’s Fantafestival, Nightwatch has since earned a place on Kosmorama's list of top 100 Danish films.
The plot of Nightwatch grips you from the start. Martin, while adjusting to his night shift in the sinister corridors of the Forensic Medicine Institute, soon realizes that his job is far from just a quiet stint to aid his studies. As he makes his nightly rounds, the presence of lifeless bodies in cold storage soon becomes the least of his worries. Concurrently, a series of brutal murders rock Copenhagen, particularly targeting women. Mysterious events in the morgue leave Martin questioning his sanity as he grapples with the unnerving atmosphere of death that seems to be closing in on him.
The tension heightens as Martin finds himself linked to the murders, caught in a tightening web of suspicion and paranoia. Is he simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, or is there a deeper, more sinister connection between his job at the morgue and the killings? With each passing night, the line between reality and horror blurs for Martin, making both the characters and the audience question what is real. The mysterious happenings in the morgue are cleverly used to build suspense, as small details pile up into a much larger, terrifying truth that pushes the plot forward.
Nightwatch distinguishes itself from other horror thrillers by embracing a minimalist yet haunting atmosphere. The sterile, lifeless morgue settings are contrasted sharply with Martin’s own vulnerability, making it a psychological thriller where your mind plays as big a role in the terror as the events themselves. Bornedal crafts an atmosphere of slow-burning dread, using silence, shadow, and the clinical coldness of the morgue to its full advantage. The Danish setting and cultural tone also give it a unique edge over the more overt and jump-scare-laden horror films that often dominate the genre.
Critically, the film was well-received. While Variety referred to it as a "slickly made but fairly conventional tale," it still managed to strike a chord with audiences. It holds a steady reputation, especially in Denmark, as a film that might not push the artistic boundaries of cinema but instead delivers a solid, suspenseful narrative that fans of thriller-horror appreciate. It is a movie that draws tension from its simplicity, and for that, it has been remembered and praised over the years.
With a modest budget reflective of Danish cinema at the time, Nightwatch was still a box-office hit in its home country. The 1997 remake sought to capitalize on the original’s success, but as often happens, it lacked some of the authenticity that made the original so impactful. In conclusion, Nightwatch stands out as a moody, atmospheric thriller that excels in delivering psychological dread. For those who seek horror beyond the superficial, this film offers a brooding journey into fear, one that stays with you long after the credits roll.