Night Voices

This film was a happy surprise to me. On reading the synopsis I was not sure exactly what to expect, but found that the mixture of genres in this film comes off flawlessly. While the film starts off with strong thriller vibes, it transitions smoothly into a very inspirational and encouraging third act. The darkness lingers to the very end, but is dispelled in a satisfying resolution just as the credits roll.

I had my presuppositions with knowing that this film had a faith-related message, but as with everything else about the short I was pleasantly surprised at how tastefully the faith element worked into the story. It felt real and authentic to the story and not preachy at all. I would recommend this film to religious and non-religious friends alike.

Night Voices is powerful. I was holding back tears as the end credits rolled at the American debut screening - so touched and moved by its powerful message. The story of a man brought to a point of immense, utter darkness by his circumstances and cynicism, saved by an unlikely voice of reason - emulating faith and hope in the midst of confusion and tragedy.

The film is lit, shot, and edited beautifully, but not overly-stylized. The art and acting are all pure, real, and simple, bringing the viewer right into the small, intimate world of the main character, and holding you there. The acting is so honest and real that every moment rings true - discomfort, pain, revelation.

Equal parts psychologically thrilling, dark, relatable, inspirational, and unashamedly faith inspiring, Night Voices touches the parts of the soul we hide, with the redemption we need.

Wow - I have no words - This is one of the best short films I have ever seen. What a joy to view this film - to watch it go, and flow.

And that is the start of my review - The film Flows so well that it's astounding.

First - it was obvious to me that Bradley Hawkins (Director) knows how to pick his actors - Actors that he can just Let Them Go, and Do the Job. I noticed No Hint of "Directing" (which is CODE for MOST Directors for CONTROL).

I could say SO much more - But I want to say this... The Music Choices and Sound Effects/Incidentals were All PerFection.

Again - again - This Film is so utterly smooth - and on All points.

I could Just Say So Much More.

A bitter and discontented radio talk show host is on the brink of signing off for good - until he takes a fateful call from a tragedy-afflicted youngster in search of guidance in director Bradley Hawkins' Night Voices. It's a powerful film that explores tough topics - depression, suicide, faith - with sophistication and maturity.

Gorman Ruggiero is gritty, frightening and ultimately heartbreaking as the overwhelmed radio host Jude Wilcox, a man whose patience and sanity is harshly tested by every caller who gripes to him about problems both huge and trivial.

13-year old upstart Jack Packer is also strong as Hunter, a boy who suddenly rings up Jude in the aftermath of a painful crisis while poignantly reminding him of the happiness that's all but evaporated from his existence.

Ruggiero and Packer evoke pain, vulnerability, tenderness and heart in their performances, with the incredible on-camera chemistry and emotional range of both actors bolstering Hawkins' already taut narrative.

Thanks to its remarkable cast, direction, screenplay, music and production design, Night Voices is a film that shows how life can change in only a split second, and how the words we say can either destroy lives...or save them.

This short certainly does not come up short in meaningful storytelling. The visual details, which are specific and intentional, speak to you as you are carried on a journey that you can't help but want to join. The words initially heard are only sounds that surround a decidedly broken man lost in his own thoughts. You find yourself immediately leaning in and wondering what has happened to create the anger and despair you see in the life before you. You are left wondering for several minutes where his misery will take you and if you will end up rooting for him or scorning him. At the climax of the film, when all seems hopeless, God steps in through the voice of a child who is, himself, in pain. The love of a child, and the hope that he clings to, travels through the phone line and into the heart. Thank you, once again, Dadley Productions, for shining the light of truth through believable performances, captivating cinematography and life-changing content.