Critics, no matter who is starring in a production, are supposed to always be truthful in their reviews. Sometimes, an actor can be the best of the best, but if the script or the way a production was filmed isn’t what critics deem “movie of the year,” they will be honest about it.Vanessa Kirby’s latest film, Netflix’sNight Always Comes, has critics split on whether people should give it a watch or not. Her performance in the crime thriller drama is being praised, but with a 55% Rotten Tomatoes score, the movie could easily have slipped by unnoticed in the crowded streaming landscape. Instead, it has landed a place in the top three on Netflix alongside juggernaut animated movieKPop Demon Hunters.
InNight Always Comes, Kirby, who is also one of the movie’s producers, plays Lynette. The synopsis reads: “Based on the best-selling novel by Willy Vlautin,Night Always Comesfollows Lynette, a woman who risks everything to secure the house that represents a future for her family. On a dangerous odyssey through a single night,Lynette is forced to confronther dark past in order to finally break free.”
Directed by Benjamin Caron with a screenplay by Sarah Conradt,Night Always Comespremiered on Netflix on June 21, 2025. The running time is 108 minutes, and alongside Kirby, the cast includes Jennifer Jason Leigh as Doreen, Zack Gottsagen as Kenny (Lynette’s older brother), Stephan James as Cody, Randall Park as Scott, Julia Fox as Gloria, Michael Kelly as Tommy, and Eli Roth as Blake.
As mentioned previously, it seems like Kirby’s performance is not the issue with this film, according to critics. Erik Childress of the Movie Madness Podcast gave the film an original score of 3.5/4, writing, “Vanessa Kirby gives one of her best performances in a film that turns an all-night anxiety into an examination of a life thought put behind and improved only to fall devastatingly short in a climax of real power.” Mick LaSalle of the San Fransico Chronicle gave the score of 3/4, writing, “The movie devises lots of fraught, intense moments, but what’s even more impressive about the screenplay is the way it seems to understand the psychology of the people that Lynette must deal with once she descends into the lower depths.”
Although the star of a production is what draws people to watch it, for it to be good overall, everything needs to flow together perfectly, including the script, supporting cast, scenery, and more. Jim Vorel of Paste Magazine wrote that while Kirby did all she could to keep viewers interested, the narrative was a bit expected. “Vanessa Kirby does what she can to retain our interest in Lynette, but as watchable as she is in her scheming, bargaining and lying, the structure surrounding her is too thin to support all but the most clichéd, expected narrative.”
Vanessa Kirby Scored a Win With This 2025 Film Release
While critics aren’t all in onNight Always Comes, fans of Kirby should still give the movie a view to form their own opinions. It might not be a universal win for the actress, butFantastic Four: First Stepswas. In the film, Kirby starred as Sue Storm/ Invisible Woman, and her performance was exceptional. The overall plot and scenery were beautiful, and the film made over $400 million at the box office. She also appeared in archival footage as Alanna Mitsopolis / White Widow inMission Impossible: The Final Reckoningafter starring as the character inMission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Onein 2023.
Night Always Comes
