Lukas (Jack Brett Anderson) is a broke actor on the verge of suicide who takes refuge in a London pub to drown his sorrows. While there he meets Oliver (Alexander Lincoln), a loud and obnoxious would-be musician who is high and mourning the loss of his father. Initially clashing, the two strangers find themselves drawn to one another and agree to spend the evening in each other’s company. As they walk around the deserted streets of London at night, they get to know one another they open up about their lives and realise that maybe they’re not as different as they first thought.
‘A Night Like This’ comes from director Liam Calvert and writer Diego Scerrati. The film is essentially a modern take on Richard Linklater’s 1995 classic ‘Before Sunrise’, with the two lead characters carrying the weight of the film as they wander the streets and converse with one another. It’s clear from the outset that Lukas is weighed down by his problems and his decision not to commit suicide is one that sets him on a very different path for the evening. His first impression of Oliver isn’t a good one, as Oliver’s entitlement is on full display and he seems completely oblivious to anything other than himself.
Whereas Lukas is quiet, talking with a soft German accent, Oliver is the total opposite but somehow the two men find a way of connecting with one another. As the film progresses, we learn more about Oliver who isn’t the cocky loudmouth we meet in the first few minutes of the film. As the two men wander the streets, they happen upon a number of situations over the course of the night and an undercurrent of attraction develops. It’s not clear if it’s just coming from Lukas, who is openly gay, or whether Oliver is giving off romantic vibes and that’s part of the intrigue that keeps you hooked.
With a film like this, the lead performances have to be strong otherwise everything falls apart. Thankfully, Alexander Lincoln and Jack Brett Anderson do a fantastic job. Lincoln impressed in rugby drama ‘In From the Side’ and in this film, he’s able to show more of what he can do. It’s quite the task for him to transform an unlikeable character into someone the audience likes, and he manages it. Jack Brett Anderson on the other hand takes a totally different approach, and as Lukas he’s the character the audience is instantly drawn to. His performance is quiet but nuanced, and he fosters an electric chemistry with Lincoln.
‘A Night Like This’ is a powerful story about two people finding connection in an unexpected moment. Neither Lukas nor Oliver is looking for it, but once they find each other it opens up the floodgates in a way they don’t expect. Perhaps one of the core messages of the film is that you never truly know what someone else is going through, and Lukas and Oliver have to put aside their preconceptions in order to understand each other. ‘A Night Like This’ is a fantastic watch and the performances of its two leads is its strongest element. I look forward to see what both Lincoln and Anderson do next.
Cast: Alexander Lincoln, Jack Brett Anderson, David Bradley Director: Liam Calvert Writer: Diego Scerrati Certificate: 15 Duration: 101 mins Released by: Verve Pictures Release date: 26th September 2025
