Based on the novel by the same name, Netflix’s “Night Always Comes” (2025) is a peek into urban desolation and destitution, in the guise of a time-ticking thriller. However, this Benjamin Caron directorial fails to navigate the labyrinthine plot events that its frazzled lead character spirals down to. It too becomes frazzled and disoriented. Vanessa Kirby, the co-producer of the film, leads a cast that is mostly sincere. Her Lynette, along with Zack Gottsagen’s Kenny (Lynette’s brother), forms the heart of the story, which features Lynette’s nocturnal quest to raise $25000.
Night Always Comes (2025) ‘Netflix’ Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The story begins with Lynette (Kirby) arranging $ 25,000 to purchase the house her family is renting. Her family includes her brother, Kenny (Gottsagen), and her mother, Doreen (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Kenny has Down syndrome, and he is struggling to secure a job. Lynette does two jobs to keep the family afloat. She has worked rigorously for that twenty-five thousand. Owning the house is important for the family. Otherwise, they face eviction. That, in turn, could lead to Kenny being taken away to a facility. Situations could not be more dire for Lynette and her family. Or that is what she thought.
On the day of the purchase, Doreen does not appear at the lawyer’s office, effectively putting the kibosh on the deal. Lynette needs Doreen’s signature to buy the house, as she and her husband were the original renters. When she comes back, she finds that Doreen has spent the money on purchasing a new car. Flabbergasted and angry, Lynette storms out of the house, planning to get the required money overnight. Lynette’s first step is to reach out to one of her customers. The film gradually delves into Lynette’s past. Something she was trying to escape before Doreen put her right on it.
Lynette was brought into prostitution by her then-boyfriend, a middle-aged man named Tommy (Michael Kelly), who would make an appearance later in the story. Using her old life’s connection, she reaches out to Scott (Randall Park), the customer in question. Scott refuses to pay her any more than the ‘rate.’ Lynette, in a fit of rage, steals Scott’s Mercedes. However, she panics and deserts the car on an empty road. Next, she turns to Gloria (Julia Fox with the best cameo), her old colleague from the escorting business.
Night Always Comes (2025) Movie Review
Gloria has become a mistress of a politician. She, too, refuses to help Lynette. But Lynette notices a safe in her house. She enlists the help of Cody (Stephen James), her colleague from the bar where she works. Cody has been to jail, so Lynette simply assumes he will be able to help. After some negotiation and pleading, Cody helps her steal Gloria’s safe. However, they cannot get the safe open. This, in turn, takes Lynette to the shady alleys of a drug-addled thief. Although the thieves are Cody’s acquaintances, they try to betray Lynette as they find a bag of cocaine, along with 19000 dollars. Fending off their violent attempts, Cody and Lynette escape with the money and the cocaine.
Night Always Comes (2025) Netflix Movie Ending Explained:
Did Lynette get the desired $25000?
Still needing an amount around four thousand (she already had one to two thousand before she stole the nineteen), Lynette asks if he knows someone who will take a stolen Mercedes for four thousand. Cody agrees. So, Lynette takes him to the place where she abandoned the car. On the way, she picks up Kenny, who is at Doreen’s friend’s house. After seeing the stolen Mercedes, Cody suddenly betrays Lynette. He uses his force to take Lynette’s bag, which has the money and the cocaine.
A desperate Lynette, with a whimpering Kenny in the back seat, drives the car towards Cody as he tries to leave with the money. She injures him, however, not fatally, and takes the money and the cocaine back. She leaves the keys to the Mercedes with Cody, as a resigned sign of gratitude for his initially genuine help. As the absolute last resort, she reaches out to Tommy. It is clear that going to Tommy’s brings her a lot of traumatic memories. She loved him, and he wanted to be her pimp. Tommy brought the sixteen-year-old Lynette to the flesh trade.
Lynette never wanted to see Tommy again. However, she still needs the four thousand to save the house and to be with Kenny. So, he asks if Tommy can arrange the $4000 for the cocaine. Tommy does not have the money on him. So he gives her a contact, with whom she can organize a sale. Lynette goes to that house, where a rave party is in full swing. She meets with Blake (Eli Roth), who intends to buy the cocaine. However, knowing Lynette’s history, Blake assaults her sexually. Lynette fights off the attack. But she falls into a glass table, injuring her back. She still manages to return to her home, with Kenny by her side and the twenty-five thousand dollars.
Why Did Doreen Not Want the House?
The sun rises as the bloodied and distraught Lynette comes home. Doreen, seemingly taking pity on her daughter, tends to her injuries. After learning that Lynette has the required amount of money, Doreen decides to tell her the truth. She does not want to own the house. She never did. Doreen hoped that her purchasing an expensive car would send the message. Her husband, Lynette, and Kenny’s father brought them into that house. It was his decision. Just like he decided to abandon them. The house has been a constant reminder of that man’s decision for Doreen. Lynette never realized this. But Doreen hates the house.
Why Did Lynette Leave?
After confessing her true feelings about the house, Doreen also informs Lynette that she has arranged to stay at her friend’s house. She will take Kenny with her. Lynette tries to argue. But she knows she will never win the custody of her brother. Because she left them when she was sixteen. Her father’s abandonment drove her right towards the arms of Tommy. It has been implied that she has also attempted suicide. All these times she was away, Doreen had taken care of Kenny. So, it is likely that a court will see Doreen as the more suitable guardian.
Lynette understands that now. She also understands her mother has never forgiven her for leaving. Lynette’s coming back and working her fingers to the bone to provide a better life for the family has not softened Doreen’s stance. Lynette realizes that it is best to give her more time and some distance. That is why she decides to leave. However, before leaving, she apologizes to Kenny and promises to come back for him. Kenny tells her that he understands, and he will always love her. That is enough for Lynette to find a semblance of hope as she drives away to battle another day.
