Take Back the Night becomes a little worrisome even before the movie starts. Jane (co-writer Emma Fitzpatrick) is the victim of a violent monster attack. Since people question her story, she decides to launch a vigilante campaign to hunt the beast. As more people begin to doubt her story, Jane begins to wonder if the attack really did happen.
Though things have improved drastically over the years, horror has a checkered history when it comes to female revenge stories. A person could not be blamed for immediately thinking of something like Ms. 45 after reading the synopsis of Take Back the Night. Even the presence of a female director and writer does not necessarily preclude a film from being out of touch, after all.
Thankfully, this is never the case with Take Back the Night. While there are some missteps along the way, the film gets across its message. It is a powerful watch that never downplays the issue or allows itself to sink into melodrama. This is extremely important since much of the impact would be lost if the theme was not conveyed successfully.
For some, things may be too effective. When Jane goes to the police after the attack, she is basically put on trial. She is bullied, threatened, and exploited all under the guise of an investigation. These moments are tough to watch not because they are done poorly, but because they give an idea of when the victim blaming begins. Once Take Back the Night moves into the public shame victims feel, the audience will become so frustrated they may turn away.
Ultimately, this is the best way to look at the film. While it can be judged for its story or the use of the monster or the acting, to do so would only scratch the surface. Take Back the Night is a horror movie that is not content to scare audiences with its production. The point is to horrify with its message.
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