How Netflix’s Latest Hit Differs from the Book

Night Always Comes is the latest thriller from Netflix, and the movie makes one major, fantastic change from its source material. There are many reasons to watch Night Always Comes, which has been dominating the streamer’s charts ever since its release last week, including the film’s great performances and relevant social themes.

The Night Always Comes characters and story were adapted from a novel by Willy Vlautin. Vlautin is an American novelist and musician, and his deep, rich characters amidst a backdrop of challenging social conditions had great screen potential. Much of that was proficiently realized in director Benjamin Caron’s emotional adaptation.

While the ending of Night Always Comes largely follows the events of the book, the film’s structure makes one significant change. While some adaptations work best by following their source material as directly as possible, this deviation from the novel’s structure wound up being one of the most effective parts of the new movie.

The Movie Condensing The Novel Into One Night Is What Makes It Work

Willy Vlautin’s novel occurs over 48 hours, across two days and two nights, and the Netflix movie condenses that story into only one night. The film begins with a failed meeting to purchase the house, and the conditions for the rest of the story are then clearly outlined: Lynette must secure the money before the next morning at 9 AM.

This condensed timeline adds the element of a ticking clock to the story. With a clear deadline, and with it being so soon, the film’s tension is ratcheted up significantly. In every scene in the film, Lynette’s attempts to secure funds seem that much more dire and important.

Among Vanessa Kirby’s best movies, Night Always Comes works because it is such a taut and suspenseful thriller. The film’s social themes are important, but they are given their heft by seeing how much pressure has been put on Lynette’s shoulders.

Dealing with creditors and slaving away at multiple jobs, Lynette is at the precipice of a breaking point throughout the film. Her descent into criminal actions comes because of the overwhelming pressure that she feels in each moment, with Scott’s treatment of her serving as the last straw.

Adaptation is a difficult art form. What works in one medium does not always function the same way in another, and film adaptations of novels mustn’t always treat their source material as sacrosanct. Fortunately, the movie’s structural choice still allows the pertinent themes and details of the novel to be explored.

While the 48-hour timeline is effective in the novel, condensing the story in Night Always Comes helps the film to succeed. It builds a greater sense of timeliness and stress throughout the film’s events, and allows Lynette’s story to feel that much more dire.