Night Call: A Thrilling Race Against Time in Brussels
In the heart of Brussels, Night Call introduces us to Mady, portrayed with compelling vulnerability by Jonathan Feltre. His life as a graduate student and part-time locksmith takes a dramatic turn when he encounters Claire, played by the enigmatic Natacha Krief. What begins as a seemingly innocent request—unlocking an empty apartment so she can retrieve a bag—quickly spirals into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Claire vanishes with the bag full of cash, leaving Mady to face the wrath of Yannick, a menacing mobster brought to life by Romain Duris with chilling intensity. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Mady finds himself accused of being Claire’s accomplice in a high-stakes theft, forcing him to navigate a treacherous path to clear his name and potentially save his life.
As night falls over Brussels, Mady’s desperation grows. He manages to negotiate a brief window of opportunity to track down Claire and recover the stolen cash, but the city has descended into chaos due to widespread Black Lives Matter protests. The streets that Mady once knew have transformed into a labyrinth of roadblocks, demonstrators, and police barricades. His race against time is further complicated by unseen connections lurking in the shadows—Theo, one of Yannick’s own henchmen portrayed by Jonas Bloquet, harbors a secret relationship with Claire. This revelation adds layers of betrayal and deception to an already complex situation. With each passing hour, the noose tightens around Mady’s neck as he realizes this might be his final night alive if he can’t untangle himself from this web of deceit.
What elevates Night Call beyond a standard thriller is its thoughtful integration of social commentary within its pulse-pounding narrative. The Black Lives Matter protests aren’t merely a backdrop but a vital element that shapes Mady’s experience throughout his ordeal. As a Black man moving through a city in turmoil, he faces unique challenges and scrutiny that his counterparts don’t encounter. The film never preaches but instead weaves these realities into the fabric of the story, creating a richer, more nuanced exploration of a character caught between multiple worlds—academia, working-class struggles, and now criminal entanglements—all while navigating the additional complexities of racial identity in a European capital in upheaval.
Director and writers of Night Call demonstrate remarkable restraint and intelligence in crafting a story that delivers constant surprises without resorting to cheap twists or implausible developments. Each revelation feels earned and organic to the narrative, whether it’s uncovering the true nature of Claire and Theo’s relationship or revealing the deeper motivations behind Yannick’s criminal enterprise. The film maintains a breathless pace while still allowing moments of character development that make us genuinely care about Mady’s fate. Brussels itself becomes a character in the film—its narrow streets, diverse neighborhoods, and distinctive architecture providing both obstacles and occasional refuge for our protagonist as he navigates his increasingly dangerous circumstances.
The performances throughout Night Call deserve special recognition, with Feltre’s portrayal of Mady standing out as particularly noteworthy. He conveys both intellectual sharpness and street smarts while remaining believably vulnerable as events spiral beyond his control. Duris brings menacing unpredictability to Yannick, creating a villain who feels genuinely dangerous rather than cartoonishly evil. Krief’s Claire is a masterclass in ambiguity, keeping both Mady and the audience guessing about her true motivations until the very end. The supporting cast creates a believable criminal ecosystem, with Bloquet’s Theo embodying the fascinating complexity of a man caught between loyalty to his boss and his heart’s desires.
Night Call represents that increasingly rare cinematic treasure: a thoughtful, expertly crafted thriller that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering genuine excitement and emotional engagement. Its arrival on Hulu provides a perfect opportunity for viewers to discover what might otherwise have remained an overlooked gem of 2025’s film offerings. The film accomplishes what the best thrillers do—it entertains magnificently while saying something meaningful about our world. By contextualizing its chase narrative within real social movements and tensions, Night Call achieves a relevance that elevates it above mere escapism. For those seeking a film that combines adrenaline-pumping action with substance and soul, Night Call stands as one of the year’s most rewarding discoveries.
