Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- sensual
- dreamy
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics were divided, with some appreciating the film's gorgeous cinematography, symbolic mythology, and chemistry while others found its execution frustrating and unconvincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Camille's relationship with Martin and their possible marriage are disrupted by her attraction to Petra.
The dying dog, snow, burial, and circus imagery give Camille's emotional uncertainty a symbolic visual language.
Petra's work as a circus acrobat makes the circus a central setting for the lovers' heightened encounter.
Camille is torn between her established partnership with Martin, career pressures, and her feelings for Petra.
Films like When Night Is Falling, and why
Desert Hearts
lesbian romance, identity conflict, sensual atmosphere, and emotionally exploratory drama
Go Fish
lgbtq+ romantic drama centered on desire, self-discovery, and social constraint
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love
stylized queer romance with heightened symbolism and unconventional emotional choices
Movie Details
- Director
- Patricia Rozema
- Release Date
- 1995-02-01
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (95)
Cast
- Pascale Bussières
- Rachael Crawford
- Henry Czerny
- David Fox
- Don McKellar
- Tracy Wright
- Clare Coulter
- Karyne Steben
- Sarah Steben
- Jonathan Potts
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is When Night Is Falling about?
- A christian-college professor’s carefully ordered relationship is unsettled by a sensual, surreal encounter with a circus acrobat.
- What is When Night Is Falling like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of When Night Is Falling as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is When Night Is Falling violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in When Night Is Falling as mild.
- What did critics think of When Night Is Falling?
- Critics were divided, with some appreciating the film's gorgeous cinematography, symbolic mythology, and chemistry while others found its execution frustrating and unconvincing.
- Which films are like When Night Is Falling?
- Films with a similar feel include Desert Hearts, Go Fish, and The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love.
- How long is When Night Is Falling?
- When Night Is Falling runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch When Night Is Falling?
- In United States, When Night Is Falling streams on Kino Film Collection.
