Films are usually flawed. The key is to entertain enough, so those flaws are not as noticeable. Night Teeth, written by Brent Dillon and directed by Adam Randall, delivers. They create an underworld, albeit thinly, where vampires and humans have a truce. Not everyone knows this world exists, like Benny (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.). So when he does his brother Jay (Raúl Castillo) a favor and chauffeurs a couple of ladies around for the night, he finds himself immersed in this terrifying underworld. Night Teeth revels in style, music, and fun. Night Teeth entertains, despite its shallowness, thanks to the cast breathing life into the story.
Interesting Characters But Benny Stands Out
Benny is the best part of Night Teeth. He’s a college student and also works on his music in his spare time. Yet, for all Benny’s bragging, he has not shared his music with a single soul since he wants the track perfect first. Here you immediately get Collateral vibes, as Jamie Foxx’s character waits for perfection to begin his “Island Limos”—chauffeur again—business. Young Benny has not waited decades, but they both are familiar. As creatives; writers, artists, musicians, we want our creations perfect and are our own worst critics.
The Collateral similarities are strong, and it would not surprise me if they pitched Night Teeth as Collateral meets John Wick meets Vampires vs. The Bronx. When Benny meets Blaire (Debbie Ryan) and Zoe (Lucy Fry), they tell him they have to hit several parties and reach their final stop before sun up. It also feels like vampires meet The Godfather as the duo heads make their rounds to eliminate the various vampire heads so their boss and Zoe’s partner, Victor (Alfie Allen), can take over.
World Needs More Detail
The worldbuilding has promise if they make a sequel. Unfortunately, in this movie, the world of vampires is more shadow than substance. The film does not explore enough to entice beyond a fleeting thought. We never understand who all the heads of this vampire network are or what each one does. Do they control based on geography or business? Do all the police officers know and work in this world or a select few? These are all questions that a sequel could answer in-depth.
Dynamic Acting, But Some Don’t Fit Their Role
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. did a great job. Most of what works in the film are thanks to the way he plays Benny. Both earnest and caring even when he’s in danger. Alfie Allen doesn’t feel like a villain, but that could be a holdover from his GOT Theon Greyjoy days. He’s not intimidating as a mastermind. I loved seeing Megan Fox and Sydney Sweeney, but their dialogue felt weak because the world is not fleshed out enough.
I’m also curious why those in charge of the vampires were all white while those fighting against them were Black and Brown people. Night Teeth could speak on the bloodsucking nature of wealthy white people and their harm to marginalized communities. Because the racial dynamics are there but never explained, it grated watching how Zoe treats Benny.
Night Teeth is popcorn fun thanks to Jorge Lendeborg Jr.’s performance. He grounds the story and makes the film comical and sweet. It is worth a view but do not expect more than fluff entertainment, which Night Teeth does effectively.
