Night Nurse Review: An Unconventional, Alluring Thriller

      Note: This review was initially published as part of our coverage of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film will be released on July 10.

      We learn very little about Eleni (Cemre Paksoy), a nurse at a high-end retirement community, until a spark is ignited within her. Directed by Georgia Bernstein, the unsettling Night Nurse does not fully fit the mold of a psychosexual thriller, despite its underlying erotic tension; there is something more alluring and ominous lurking beneath the surface.

      Eleni secures a role at a retirement community that offers its affluent elderly residents a semblance of independence within bungalows surrounding a central “big house” that provides more intensive care. She quickly reveals herself to be vulnerable to both seduction and the act of seducing, working alongside Mona (Eleonore Hendricks) as part of the nursing staff for a resident named Douglas (Bruce McKenzie). Douglas is a man brimming with confidence who appears to have exploited the system throughout his life; for some reason, he is allowed to remain in the community by Doctor Mann (Mimi Rogers) even after his checks have bounced.

      Douglas introduces Eleni to a prevalent phone scam where she poses as a granddaughter in legal trouble, luring victims until Douglas takes over the call to finalize the scam, instructing them to send cash in an envelope to “bail out” their “granddaughter.” The scams momentarily draw the interest of local law enforcement, leading to a meeting for the care staff, while Eleni, Bruce, and Mona cruise in his convertible, brainstorming their next target. Eleni and Mona become romantically involved with both each other and Douglas, creating a throuple that feels detached from the rest of the community, essentially forming a cult-like family unit.

      Night Nurse deftly balances elements of camp and thriller. Its narrative largely centers on Eleni's psychological evolution, as the devoted nurse finds herself enticed rather than repelled by Douglas, a control enthusiast who lounges by the pool all day and issues commands. The film presents various layers to their attraction, which Bernstein expertly leaves somewhat ambiguous; the only insight provided is Eleni's early revelation to Mona that she feels transformed.

      Being a nurse necessitates a deep connection with clients, particularly when caring for the elderly. We learn this position became available because Doctor Mann considers Douglas to be a peculiar case; he once fell in love with and mistook a former nurse for his spouse. Douglas, on his part, is a natural con artist, and we begin to question the authenticity of his “downfall” as he somehow gathers a room full of young, attractive nurses for a “party” involving the recreational use of prescription medications.

      As the second collaboration between Bernstein and Paksoy (following their series about a professional cuddler), Night Nurse serves as a compelling character exploration that evokes early works of Atom Egoyan infused with tones reminiscent of Michael Haneke. Its production design and visual style reflect a 1980s aesthetic, recalling Douglas during the peak of his success. It remains unclear what type of individual he was before his health declined, but it’s easy to envision him as a psychopathic lawyer or ruthless business shark who reveals his teeth only when about to strike. Night Nurse examines themes of vulnerability and codependence as Eleni, early on, develops an obsession with acts of care. Her true intentions remain ambiguous until the film's final act, when perhaps all our suspicions are validated.

      Night Nurse had its premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.