Ole Bornedal’s anticipated sequel to the 90s' smash hit psychological thriller, NIGHTWATCH, that toured international film festivals, is now shooting and will star much of the same cast as its predecessor, including award-winning actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Copenhagen, 28 September 2022 – TrustNordisk has boarded international sales rights of critically acclaimed director Ole Bornedal’s highly anticipated psychological thriller sequel NIGHTWATCH – DEMONS ARE FOREVER. The feature just started shooting this week in Denmark and will star world-renowned actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, among others.
Managing Director of TrustNordisk, Susan Wendt, comments on the acquisition:
‘We are excited to be onboard this highly anticipated successor to the world-renowned psychological thriller NIGHTWATCH, which took the global audience by storm and have high expectations for the sequel. We are confident that Ole Bornedal will make this strong and nerve-wrecking story come alive and look forward to the collaboration.'
In 1994, Bornedal terrified the global audience with his nerve-wrecking Danish psychological thriller NIGHTWATCH (“NATTEVAGTEN” in Danish) which involved a bestial serial killer murdering young women, and a young law student choosing to take the job as night watch at the medico-legal institute of Copenhagen’s main hospital. The young law student, personified by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (A TASTE OF HUNGER, 2021; GAME OF THRONES, 2011-19), is about to witness disturbing sights and be the centre of a horrifying nightmare.
NIGHTWATCH, which reached no less than 465,000 admissions at its local premiere, was highly praised among international film festivals and was officially selected for Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival.
In addition, a US re-make was made starring Ewan McGregor and Nick Nolte, underlining the high level of attention that the film received globally.
Director Ole Bornedal comments on the new sequel:
'NIGHTWATCH (1994) was a far greater success than both I and everyone else had expected. Both domestically and internationally. Probably because in many ways it was a rather personal story that many could relate to: Beneath the suspense and horror, it was also a generational story about growing up, becoming mature and breaking free from youthful anarchy! Only then could the two young men, Jens and Martin, become adults. And now the time is ripe to return to the two - and the new generations that surround them. NIGHTWATCH is about legacy. About the silence in families. About the traumas and cuts and wounds that are allowed to live through generations. And in addition, it is exciting to return to the condensed genre that horror is. Kiss the demons - pull them into the light for a little moment. Look them in the eyes and think: "Good thing it's only a film".'
In NIGHTWATCH – DEMONS ARE FOREVER, Primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau once again stars together with BAFTA-nominated Kim Bodnia (THE WITCHER, 2021; KILLING EVE, 2018-22; NIGHTWATCH, 1994;) and Ulf Pilgaard (NIGHTWATCH, 1994) who both starred in the original film, and not least young talent Fanny Bornedal (THE PURITY OF VENGEANCE, 2018) to play Coster-Waldau’s character’s daughter.
In addition, the psychological thriller will star Paprika Steen (THAT TIME OF YEAR, 2018; LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED, 2012), Sonja Richter (THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES, 2013), Alex Høgh Andersen (VIKINGS, 2016-20) and Christopher Læssø (THE SQUARE, 2017; DARKLAND, 2017).
About the director
Besides his major international hit NIGHTWATCH, which toured festivals world-wide, writer and director Ole Bornedal’s portfolio also includes Sundance-selected JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY (2007), DELIVER US FROM EVIL (2019) and POSSESSION (2012).
Synopsis:
It is by no coincidence that Emma (22, medical student) has taken the job as the nightwatch in the forensic department. She grew up with her mother, Kalinka, who committed suicide when Emma was 10, and her traumatized apathetic father, Martin.
The fatal night the psychopathic inspector Wörmer almost killed Emma's parents before they were saved at the very last minute by their friend Jens marked the family and left a suppressed and unspoken fraction of her parents' past.
Since that night they have all been haunted by the memory of the monster, and as a result Emma has been brought up in the suppressed memory, and remaining silence after the event.
Emma decides to investigate what happened in her parents’ past. Upon meeting with Wörmer, Emma wakes him from his coma, and unintentionally initiates a bloody revenge on all of those who sealed Wörmer’s destiny. Emma and Martin are now surrounded by vindictive maniacs whose only motive is revenge.
NIGHTWATCH - DEMONS ARE FOREVER is written and directed by Ole Bornedal and produced by Thomas Heinesen for Nordisk Film Production. The film is supported by The Danish Film Institute, Den Vestdanske Filmpulje and Nordisk Film- & TV Fond in collaboration with DR, ZDF and Nadcon.
Expected local wide release on 25 December 2023.
English script available for interested buyers.