30 Days of Night (2007)

Posted on April 23, 2015 by emmakwall

30 Days of Night – horror movie review

30 Days of Night is a 2007 horror film starring Josh Hartnett and the current Queen of Scream Melissa George. Since leaving Summer Bay the poor girl has faced almost continual mortal peril! She’s been in a lot of horror films basically. But she did get to shag Ryan Reynolds in The Amityville Horror so…….swings and roundabouts.

So anyway, 30 Days of Night is directed by David Slade (Hard Candy, Hannibal) and based on a graphic novel by Steven Niles. It tells the story of a small, isolated Alaskan town that is pounced upon by a group of ancient and blood-thirsty vampires. Hartnett and George star as two police officers (also ‘hilariously’ going through a divorce) trying to lead their friends and neighbours to safety.

30days

Barrow in Alaska – where the movie is set – is so far north that during winter the sun doesn’t rise for a month. As well as being a bit miserable (I would be so fucking miserable), this makes for rather a sticky situation when the vampires turn up. I mean, sunlight is generally looked upon favourably when dealing with the undead – especially when you live on the edge of the earth with no means of escape. The premise of 30 Days of Night is pretty simple – survive the month and beat the vampires – but it is delivered well.

It’s a similar plot to Swedish film Frostbiten (2006) but whilst that was more of a comical movie, 30 Days of Night was pleasantly surprising with its darkness and brutality. After all, vampires are often viewed on screen as sexy, civilised or even mildly glittery (vomit). In 30 Days of Night they are dangerous predators – powerful, ruthless and not afraid to use their nails.

Image result for 30 days of night gif

They are human-ish of course, in the way they walk on two legs and have eyes, ears and a nose. But that’s where the similarities end.

I enjoyed 30 Days of Night a lot. I first saw it in the cinema but I’ve watched it since on DVD and still think it’s one of the better vampire flicks around. It does have some flaws of course – and something of absolute hilarity that I can’t wait to share with you – but generally I thought it was a pretty good horror film. It’s clear that it was based on a graphic novel – the atmosphere and use of colour, the dramatic, sinister score written by Brian Reitzell and the ever-so-slightly arty bits.

vamps

It’s a gory film (woo hoo) with plenty of blood and death to rejoice in (double woo hoo). The vampires are noticeably cruel and without sounding like a psycho (I know I sound like a bit of a psycho) I enjoyed it for the pure horror that it was – rather than all this Twilight and True Blood stuff we’re used to, where it’s all “let’s be best friends and / or have sex with each other”.

Not that I have any issues with Buffy of course. Buffy was (and still is) the best TV show EVER.

See the source image

Unfortunately I did feel that the gripping 30 Days of Night concept was rather redundant – as really, all the events could have happened in a couple of days – nothing made me feel that the story was set over a few weeks.

Now – for the little something of absolute hilarity. The cold brutal leader of the vampires (Danny Huston) looked just like Neil Tennant from the Pet Shops Boys. There, that’s pretty much it. But damn it was funny!

See the source image

About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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135 Responses to 30 Days of Night (2007)

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  1. Jordan Dodd says:
    April 24, 2015 at 10:20

    Great review. I remember watching this years ago and I remember loving the design of the creatures, they looked crazy! Makes me wanna watch it again after reading this! Good stuff Em! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      April 24, 2015 at 10:35

      Yay! Me too! (wanna watch it again I mean)

      Thanks Jordan means a lot!!! 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Jordan Dodd says:
        April 24, 2015 at 11:04

        No worries Em! :):P
        what i remember vividly from this movie also is a sweet-ass decapitation. That was savage! I usually don’t like gore, it bores me, but I remember liking it in this movie. Though these sorta movies are more action movies to me than horror movies. Horror to me is The Babadook, It Follows… not many recent examples. supernatural stuff and gore/torture stuff just ain’t horror in my book

        Liked by 1 person

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        • emmakwall says:
          April 24, 2015 at 11:38

          I know what you mean! I must admit I do love gory movies but generally a lot of them are ‘one-time watches’ just for fun. Watching low-rent torture porn on Netflix is my idea of easy watching! Lol.

          Obviously some ‘gory’ movies are pretty damn fine though – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the original 1974 film, that is one of my all time favourite horrors, I love it.

          But I still totally agree with you, The Babadook, It Follows (though I have yet to watch it) are the REAL deal, the films that make you think, scare you, stay with you for hours…days…even weeks!

          Have you see The Orphanage, the Spanish movie? I thought that was a really chilling, psychological horror. I could never watch it by myself!!!!

          Liked by 1 person

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          • Jordan Dodd says:
            April 24, 2015 at 12:17

            No but I like the sound of a Spanish thriller!! I’ll have to see if I can stream it from somewhere.

            And The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is bloody great 😀

            Liked by 2 people

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            • vinnieh says:
              April 24, 2015 at 12:29

              I would definitely recommend The Orphanage, well worth the watch.

              Liked by 1 person

            • emmakwall says:
              April 24, 2015 at 13:43

              Thanks Vinnie 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

            • vinnieh says:
              April 24, 2015 at 13:44

              Always happy to provide my service.

              Liked by 1 person

            • emmakwall says:
              April 24, 2015 at 13:42

              It was the first (and last, I suppose) film that ever made me cry with fear! I kid you not. I felt my eyes kind of well up, it had never happened before! Before I knew it I was crying with fear.

              Different things scare different people so I hope I haven’t built it up too much (crying with fear!!!!!) but it’s still a great Spanish thriller yes 🙂

              It is brilliant isn’t it!!! And to be fair it’s not that gory anyway, hardly at all by today’s standards. It’s the “vibe” that I’m digging!

              Daddy-o! (just used ‘digging’ randomly and thought now I must use the word Daddy-o too lol)

              Liked by 1 person

            • Jordan Dodd says:
              April 24, 2015 at 13:46

              Hehehehe. I’ll dfefinetely have to hunt down that film and write about it, it sounds at least like my sorta thing. Plus Vinnie recommends it too so I think I’ll like it.

              And you’re right, this movie actually isn’t gory at all compared to some of the crap released today. Bar the decaptitation, it is more the atmosphere, or the vibe that you talk about that makes the movie enjoyable

              Like

  2. By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff says:
    April 24, 2015 at 01:16

    I think this is in my top 5 best vampire movies. Dark, gritty, and no sparkling! Spot on review Ms Ems☺️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. newguy87 says:
    April 23, 2015 at 15:40

    Easily my favourite Vampire film, i love how it doesn’t hold back and yet another great cameo performance from the always creepy Ben Foster

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. mikeyb @ screenkicker says:
    April 23, 2015 at 15:18

    All i remember about this is them hiding in an attic for what seemed like 2 years. It bored the shit out of me. Maybe if Alf Stewart had come along from Summer Bay it might have injected some spice.

    Great review my little Bear Jew!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. The Telltale Mind says:
    April 23, 2015 at 13:32

    I loved this film, thought it was pretty good. Loved the comic even more though. Love Melissa George as well. She was in a great show called Hunted if you ever get a chance to see it. Great job Ems!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      April 23, 2015 at 13:50

      Yeah it’s very good! I’ve never read any of the comics I doubt I will to be honest but when I bought the DVD I got some cool postcards included with the artwork on!

      I love her too, she’s lovely! I’ll look up Hunted, thanks Geoff 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. theipc says:
    April 23, 2015 at 13:27

    Clam!!

    This movie is pretty awesome – the sequel is pretty shit! Don’t watch it!!

    Great post!

    Love Pen!!

    O _ o o _ O

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. vinnieh says:
    April 23, 2015 at 13:01

    Haven’t seen this in ages but loved your review Emma. Gosh, Melissa George has definitely been through the ringer of emotions hasn’t she?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. renlauoutil says:
    April 23, 2015 at 12:45

    Hey, it’s not all scream with Melissa George, she’s a fine, muted, but screwy temptress in season one of HBO’s In Treatment, trying to get into Gabriel Byrne’s pants. It’s a good series (sadly largely forgotten) with George’s lovely lips working overtime.

    I enjoy your blog. Not always my kind of films. But that’s part of the appeal.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      April 23, 2015 at 12:52

      I tell you what, I don’t care how old he is, I wouldn’t mind getting in Gabriel Byrne’s pants too! Haha. She does have lovely lips, I do really like her. I’ve not seen In Treatment but I’ve heard it’s good!

      Thanks so much, that’s really kind of you! I know what you mean, I like reading about stuff I wouldn’t necessary watch too!

      Thanks 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  10. thecreativefoxden says:
    April 23, 2015 at 12:41

    I completely agree! This version of vampire is the best. The almost feral, unrelenting, emotionless kind. When the main vampire says, “God? No God“ (or something to that effect) it sent chills down my spine. Too bad you thought he looked like someone else! That would be disconcerting.

    Great review of a really good movie!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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