For the past few years IFC, under its Shudder brand, has been providing a steady stream of original horror films. They often get a short run in theaters before landing on the streaming service. The 2026 slate kicks off in limited theatrical release today with Night Patrol.

The film comes from director Ryan Prowers, who previously worked on V/H/S 94 and Lowlife for the streamer. This one is focused on cops and criminals in Los Angeles, but offers a twist that turns into a bloodbath the second half of the film.

We quickly meet Wazi (RJ Cyler) as he’s hurt and in an interrogation room. Flashback, and he’s meeting with a girl in the night when the LAPD Night Patrol pulls up. Though he and his companion aren’t doing anything, she is quickly murdered by the Night Patrol’s newest recruit, Ethan Hawkins (Justin Long).

The next day, Ethan is working with his partner, Xavier (Jermaine Fowler), who just so happens to be Wazi’s brother. Wazi tries to reach out. Meanwhile Ethan tells his partner he’s worked hard to get admitted to Night Patrol to learn what happened to his father, a deceased LAPD officer.

But neither partner really knows what they are getting into. Ethan learns there is a lot more to Night Patrol than random violence. He soon gets pulled in over his head. Xavier, meanwhile, earns that the LAPD is hunting residence of his former housing project, leaving his brother and others in their wake.

As Night Patrol creates the appearance of a gang war, they use it for cover to make an assault on the housing complex to feed their darker secret.

On the surface, this doesn’t feel like your typical horror film. It starts out looking like corrupt, racist cops and gang members are popping off. But it doesn’t take long to learn that there is more to the story of Night Patrol. That will either work for you or it won’t. I certainly wasn’t surprised, or particularly entertained by the twist.

All of it is a protracted setup to the real carnage that comes in the second half of the film. At about the hour mark, the fighting begins, leaving both Xavier and Ethan struggling with a new reality. And a lot of violence ensues.

I’m not opposed to big, bold, bloody horror films. That has been a solid brand for the Shudder films in release. But this one is too shallow on story and characters, seemingly building its horror film on the back of cliches. Despite a strong cast, it just doesn’t work. Most of it ends up feeling like an overly violent slog.

This is in limited release before dropping to the streaming service. At best it’s one to catch on streaming, but honestly there’s little that feels compelling about this big swing. Night Patrol is now in limited release.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.