FrightFest 2025: ‘A Night of Violence’ fails to reach ‘Mayhem’ levels of chaos

Work proves to be killer in director Illya Kostantin’s new feature, A Night of Violence, which played this summer’s FrightFest. With a script co-written with Christopher Lang, the indie feeds off holding a healthcare corporation accountable (sound familiar?!) when they release a controversial new drug. The venom the executives spit becomes fuel for a band of local vigilantes, who seek pounds of flesh in grotesque ways. While the premise isn’t properly developed, it does offer the spirit of 2017’s Mayhem – just without the bite.

Janelle (Abria Jackson) and her co-workers begrudgingly attend a work party, at which the company celebrates Azlepta, a new drug that’s causing ripples online. Booze, food, and good times are had by all, that is, until a group of masked intruders descends upon the gathering. It’s an absolute bloodbath (if you can forgive the copious amounts of CGI) as one by one, the office workers meet grisly ends. The once-pristine high-rise becomes a murderer’s dream playground, scouring the many hallways for strays and putting them down in increasingly violent ways. When things become dire, Janelle and a handful of others take refuge in the building’s many offices and cubicles. It’s fight or die, with Janelle proving to be a beast of a warrior when push comes to shove.

And that’s as far as it goes. A Night of Violence shows peeks of sheer brilliance, yet it barely gets off the ground. It flutters in mid-air, with the actors, particularly Jackson, doing the best they can with the material. That’s not to say it’s not a fun time; it is, but the script could have been fleshed out more to give the players something to dig their teeth into. The film lacks the playfulness that would have bolstered its conceit, allowing the audience to enjoy the ride a little bit more. As it stands, Kostantin’s latest rodeo plays it far too safe, landing somewhere in the middle. It’s not bad, and it’s not great – it just sort of is.

The same can be said about the camera work and cinematography. With an assist from DP Edgar Luzanilla, not much care is taken to make the film a thrilling visual treat. It’s all fine, like a slice of buttered toast, and zaps the energy from the room. Jackson is particularly magnetic onscreen, but the limp surrounding illustrations and cues do little to stand out in any conceivable way. It treads water, and it’s a real shame.

If you’re itching for something, anything, to watch, A Night of Violence is a decent enough viewing experience that might satiate your bloodlust. If you don’t expect or anticipate Mayhem levels of excitement, you’ll have a good time here. Just temper your expectations.