Martin Bells is finding it tough to pay his way through law school, especially as his studies occupy nearly all of his waking hours. Needing to make extra income while remaining in a quiet environment, he takes a job as a night watchman at the city morgue. However, shortly after his arrival, a twisted necrophiliac killer begins murdering local prostitutes. As Detective Thomas Cray begins to investigate, the clues he uncovers unexpectedly start to point towards Martin as the prime suspect…

A twist-filled contemporary whodunit, adapted from director Ole Bornedal’s own 1994 Danish film while taking cues from the then-reemerging Hollywood slasher boom, NIGHTWATCH (1997) offers an all-star cast including Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting), three-time Academy Award® nominee Nick Nolte (48 Hrs., The Thin Red Line), Academy Award® nominee Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), Academy Award® nominee Brad Dourif (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), and Academy Award® winner Patricia Arquette (Boyhood). Vinegar Syndrome is proud to bring this tense and grisly thriller to UHD, newly and exclusively restored in 4K from its original 35mm camera negative, and packed with both new and archival extras.

For thoughts on Nightwatch, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

Vinegar Syndrome presents Nightwatch with a splendid 2160p transfer in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. Not only is the film making its 4K UHD debut, but it is premiering on Blu-Ray domestically, so even those who are not 4K UHD capable will want to snatch this up to own the film in good quality. This new master is exquisite and a sight to behold for those who have been waiting to upgrade from the land of standard definition. The included Blu-Ray derived from the same new master is beautiful, but the 4K UHD Blu-Ray finds numerous ways to improve upon it in subtle yet welcome ways.

The implementation of Dolby Vision/HDR for expanded color output dials things into ideal levels when it comes to depth and nuance. There are some bold colors saturating the screen thanks to the environments that are explored, and the refinement in contrast is a gift. Highlights are in top shape with nary a sign of blooming in the brightest moments. Black levels do not exhibit crush or banding even in the darkest corners of the screen. Audiences can glean more shadow detail with figures firmly defined instead of blending into the murky background. There are no serious digital anomalies such as compression artifacts or any other such impediments.

One of the biggest triumphs of this restoration is the unveiling of vital textures. We hate when studios crank up the DNR for a waxy appearance, but this transfer thankfully keeps things looking organic. The level of detail and clarity newly on display is stunning thanks to the perfect amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves favorably with nothing ever feeling clumpy or static within the backgrounds. The texture on display in the clothing, landscapes, and production design is outstanding. Any potential specks of damage have been eliminated thanks to the restoration. Vinegar Syndrome has rescued another overlooked horror outing.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track which both capably conjure the soundscape. Environmental sounds such as the creaks and bumps in the darkness are rendered exquisitely alongside everything else. There do not seem to be any instances of age-related wear and tear. The score and other musical interludes sound robust and vital as they complement the tone. There is never a moment when it threatens to overshadow the competing sounds, and it maintains a faithful balance so that dialogue comes through clearly. This narrative demands a bit of personality within the sound design, and this track executes that with a mighty surround mix. Both tracks provide an ideal sonic journey that captures the artistic intent with crisp fidelity. This is an exceptional track from Vinegar Syndrome. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for those who desire them.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Author/screenwriter Kelly Goodner and film historian Jim Hemphill provide a new commentary track in which they discuss the similarities and differences between this remake and the original film, the clashes with executives, the background of various performers, this era in horror filmmaking, and much more.
World of Nothingness – An Interview with Co-Writer/Director Ole Bornedal: A seven-minute audio interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses his approach to the original Nightwatch, coming to the United States to direct the remake, seeking out the right actors for these roles, collaborating on the script with Steven Soderbergh, the challenges faced during the editing process, and more.
A Thrilling Cast – An Interview with Casting Director Rick Pagano: A new eight-minute interview with the casting director in which he discusses his early career, getting involved with Nightwatch, collaborating with Ole Bornedal, his thoughts on the film, and more.
Building Suspense – A Featurette with Production Designer Richard Hoover and Set Decorator Brian Hasch: A new ten-minute piece with members of the creative team in which they discuss collaborating with director Ole Bornedal, creating the look of the world, the location of various set pieces, how they made the world feel more unusual, and more.
The Paranoid Cinema of Nightwatch – Visual Essay by Filmmaker Will Webb: A great eight-minute visual essay that explores how this film ratchets up the paranoia, the deliberate use of camera angles, the disruption of routine, and more.
Behind the Scenes Footage: A ten-minute vintage look at the production of the film.
Still Gallery: A five-minute collection of photos from the production and marketing materials.
Trailer (2:36)

Final Thoughts

Nightwatch is not a film that was necessarily needed in the grand cinematic scheme of things, but it is a solid Americanized adaptation of a movie that was already very compelling. Having the original director come back for this version helps the film not lose some of the nuances that made the original so special. The true selling point of the film is the impeccable cast, who all deliver at the level we would come to praise them for in modern times. It is an undervalued thriller from this decade, and we can only hope that more eyes get on this one. Vinegar Syndrome has delivered a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a sterling A/V presentation and a valuable array of special features. Recommended

Nightwatch is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Vinegar Syndrome has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.