Films to Watch at 3am
Staying up late, while not recommended by the doctor, is sometimes inevitable. I don’t know how many times I’ve found myself still awake with no sign of sleep coming to me. I check my phone and it’s 2am. Check again, it’s 3am. Surely there’s something better to do than watch the hours go by or stare aimlessly at the ceiling. Well thankfully films exist. Taking in a movie late at night isn’t anything out of the ordinary, just look at the ‘midnight movie’ phenomenon or an insomniac friend. While I would absolutely love to go to a movie theatre late in the night, that isn’t always the most feasible option. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to enjoy a film nowadays from the comfort of your own bed. From thrillers to comedies, here are some films that you should consider giving a go the next time you find yourself still up in the odd hours of the night.
After Hours (1985)
Your mind might jump to the critically acclaimed Taxi Driver as Martin Scorsese’s seedy love letter to the late hours of the night, but it’s the iconic director’s overlooked black comedy After Hours that truly feels as though it was made to be watched, well, during after hours. After Hours follows Paul (played by Griffin Dunne), a man working a not so exciting desk job during the day, who decides to meet up with a woman he met earlier in a café. What was initially planned to be a romantic night turns out to be anything but, as Paul finds himself running all over New York City’s SoHo district. Paul spends the entire night trying to get home as what is best described as a series of unfortunate events unfold. Quite surreal, almost ridiculous, and filled with a perfect amount of dark humour and satire, Scorsese once again shows just how masterful he is at his craft. Seriously, if you’re going to take only one 3am recommendation away from this list, I strongly suggest you consider After Hours.
Slightly over the top, slapstick, and loads of macabre fun, Clue, literally based off of the classic board game, revolves around six strangers who are invited to a dinner party by a mystery man at a grand secluded mansion. When, in a fit of arguing and confusion, a man ends up dead, it’s a scramble to figure out who is the killer among them. Starring Tim Curry (who is brilliant here as he is in his other roles), Clue is a ‘whodunit’ film that works perfectly as a late night watch when you’re maybe looking for something a little silly that doesn’t demand a lot of brain power. While it didn’t fare so well at the box office and was panned by critics when it was released, over the years the movie has developed a significant cult following and has gained a loving fanbase.
Climax (2018)
Gaspar Noé’s Climax is mesmerizing while at the same time utterly horrifying and quite literally an acid trip. The film follows a troupe of recruited young dancers who decide to party the night away after their rehearsal. With all the music, drinking, dancing, talk about sex amongst other gossip, as the night goes on the dancers start to feel more and more uneasy, eventually coming to the realization that they’ve all been drugged with LSD. Panic, confusion, and violent aggression start to take over, as the effects of the drug kick in and pure chaos follows. Noé uses his creative licenses to the fullest extent while at the same time drawing influence from the likes of Jean-Luc Godard to capture 96 minutes of drug induced mania. I’m going to be honest - I still don’t know what to think of this one, but it was definitely an experience. Personally I think the intense psychedelic feel of Climax hits the hardest when you’re alone in the dark during the earliest of hours.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise (the first film in the Before trilogy) follows Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Céline (played by Julie Deply), an American man and French woman who meet on a train travelling across Europe and decide to get off at Vienna together and spend the entire night walking around the city discussing love, life, and God amongst many things. Before Sunrise depicts the beginning of a love story that feels refreshing and authentic compared to many of the typical romance films Hollywood has given us over the years. Its minimalistic approach showcases intimacy that feels so real yet, paired with spontaneity, offers a fantastical element that captures the magic of the feeling of falling in love, and really highlights the connection shared by Jesse and Céline. Maybe it’s my inner hopeless romantic, but something about watching Jesse and Céline as the sun comes up just feels perfect. Title alone, I feel like I’m obligated to include it in this list.
Clueless (1995)
Late nights (or early mornings) sometimes calls for classic comfort! I remember a night where my sister and I sat up until 4am watching Clueless (trying not to wake up our entire household while doing so). Given it’s extreme popularity, I’m aware many have seen it before, but in case you haven’t it’s on this list for you. From Cher’s well intended but misguided antics to the iconic one liners and outfits, Clueless is a dose of nostalgia and light hearted fun that works any time of the day, late hours included (if not even more). While your watchlist may be begging you to cross off the more “prestigious” films you promised to check out, when you find yourself awake around 3am, sometimes it's a 90’s teen rom com that’s just going to hit the spot.