Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man's Night

I recently watched the Argentinian film 🇦🇷 Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man's Night (2021) on Shudder. The storyline follows an elderly man on the verge of death, facing one last opportunity to confront the demons of his past before crossing to the other side. In his final moments, can he overcome these demons, or are they here to drag him to hell?

Written and directed by Gonzalo Calzada (Luciferina), the film stars Marina Artigas (Focus), Lautaro Delgado (Russian Roulette), Marilú Marini (Tigre), and Pepe Soriano (My First Wedding).

This film is more of a drama/thriller with horror elements, offering an intriguing character study about life, regrets, and mortality. The main character's relationship with his past is well-established and thoughtfully portrayed. Both Pepe Soriano and Marilú Marini give authentic performances. The film is creatively shot, using doorways as metaphors for his past or other worlds. The use of the hallway reminded me of Evil Dead Rise, though less gory. The horror elements are effectively used to add depth and intensity to the overarching story. The ending brings a smart full-circle conclusion, which, while a bit predictable, is still well executed.

In conclusion, Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man's Night is a well-crafted reflection on life, and I'd recommend seeing it at least once. I'd score it a 7/10.

I can't think why this is considered a thriller or a mystery or a horror story. It is none of these. Instead, it is a beautiful heartfelt and very, very moving story about Love and Loss. Be Sure to have your Kleenex handy if you watch this. A true master work at cinema. Devastating emotionally. You won't soon forget it.

This is literally one of the best films I have ever seen.

I don't consider this a horror movie which is the only reason I didn't give this a 10/10. I thought the depictions of the supernatural were very moving and have basis in people's reports of real ghost encounters, not exploitative like a horror movie at all. The only thing that even seems embellished or fictitious is how visually and clearly all of the spirits are depicted to reflect their inner workings.

The Great Old Man's Night made me cry. Repeatedly. But there are also very beautiful and even mildly humorous moments in the film, along with some dark moments.

Every once in a while a film comes along that transcends genre and Nocturna (Side A) is that film.

One scene can capture the darkest nightmares and in the same frame deliver heart-wrenching sorrow, form following function and imagery working to strengthen a theme that touches all - genre fan or no - skilfully reaching into the many different realms of horror storytelling and pulling out the most compelling elements. The result is a truly fantastic piece of cinema.

Taking place in a single night and location, Nocturna (Side A) follows Ulysses (Pepe Soriano) on his last evening on earth as he is forced to face the grief and regret cultivated over his nearly hundred-year lifespan. Through artistically unique storytelling and stunning cinematography, director Calzada seamlessly captures the loneliness inherent to the final moments of life. Ulysses is visited by the ghosts of lost souls trapped in his apartment building as well having to confront the realization that his quickly deteriorating mind is a roadblock to asking forgiveness from those he has wronged.

Soriano's performance as Ulysses elevates the film to something beyond typical genre fare, the viewer witness to his confusion, angst, and fear through close-up shots of eyes that have seen too much. Seasoned with a gorgeous score and cleverly placed scares his woe is palpable, but there also remains a steady hope as he shuffles from room to room, trying to make sense of his failing memory and the eerie things that are taking place.

By turns an outstanding meditation on solitude and sadness, a portrait of end-of-life reflection and the devastation of realizing that we are all alone in the end, Nocturna (Side A) is a must see for anyone who has ever questioned the futility of life and the value of love.

Jerry Sampson

Content writer for Ghouls Magazine, Rue Morgue, Scream Mag.

On the last night of an elderly man's life we witness through flashbacks how he came to be in such a bleak state. Pepe Soriano is brilliant as Ulises, the old man who is losing his memory but not his regrets.

There are several chilling moments although not what you would typically expect in a horror. The horror is more of a quiet type, but does play on a fear that most of us have, of growing old and struggling to take care of ourselves and wishing that we could go back to right our wrongs.