Nightwatch: Demons are Forever (Nattevagten – Dæmoner går i arv)

I haven’t seen Nightwatch (1994) so there’s some background missing for me here with this sequel. Though there’s plenty of references to the activities of Wörmer (Ulf Pilgaard) and the effect the case had on then law student Martin (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Both returning to this follow up.

Here, Martin’s daughter Emma (Fanny Leander Bornedel) is studying at a forensic institute, while looking after her father. Rummaging around the house she finds some newspaper clippings relating to her parents and Wörmer. This prompts her to look closer into the case. One that has left her father dependent on prescription drugs and caused her mother to commit suicide.

So when the job comes up Emma takes up the night-watch post at the institute and begins digging around. What she finds leads her to falsify ID and arrange a visit to see Wörmer. A man who now barely talks, is blind and wrapped up in his own world. Not that many people are that bothered considering his penchant for scalping. However his old MO is now being copied by another serial killer, which naturally adds another dimension to the film.

Writer and director Ole Bornedal’s return to this after so long is curious. There’s an assumption that many will have not seen, or forgotten the plot of Nightwatch, so that is covered. Which tends to clutter things and pad the film to nearly two hours where it feels it should be considerably less.

Having said that it’s fairly well paced and slickly produced. And in keeping with the times, the cast represents today’s modern society. And that’s the rough with the smooth because the likes of misogynistic copper Jens (Kim Bodnia) still exist, as well the more positive portrayal of current gender issues with Maria (Nina Rask).

It seems unlikely that Bornedal made this sequel just to address and be inclusive of current social issues. Those are welcome but hardly essential to the overall plot. Centring and weaving the story around Emma, because she knows little to nothing of the events that so tragically affected her family, carries more weight and is an interesting idea to pursue.

However none of it is very compelling and while the film taken on its own terms is okay, it appears shallow.

Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever and Nightwatch (1994) will be available on Shudder from 17 May 2024.